'0 


ORATORS 


AMERICAN  REVOLUTION 


.    , 


ORATORS 


OF  THE 


AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 


BY 


E.    L.    MAGOON 


NEW   YORK: 
BAKER    AND    SCRIBNER, 

36    PARK    ROW    AND    145    NASSAU    STREET. 

1848. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1848,  by 

BAKER  AND  SCRIBNER, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  Tork. 


C.   W.  BKNKDICT. 

Stereotyper  and  Printer, 

11  Spruce  sticct. 


•*•  ** 


* 


STUDENTS  WHO  ARE  NOT  DRONES, 
CHRISTIANS    WHO  ARE   NOT   BIGOTS, 


CITIZENS    WHO    ARE    NOT    DEMA&OG-UES, 

33ooft  is  aaespcctfulls 


i 


LIST    OF    PLATES. 


FACING   PAGE 

I.     SAMUEL  ADAMS, 95 

II.     JOSEPH  WARREN, 155 

III.  PATRICK  HENRY, 234 

IV.  ALEXANDER  HAMILTON, 283 

V.     FISHER  AMES, 311 

VI.     JOHN  RANDOLPH, 421 


* 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  1. 

THE     BATTLE-FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN     ELO- 
QUENCE. 


II. 

JAMES  OTIS, 

ORATOR  OF  INTREPID  PASSION. 


III. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS, 

LAST    OF    THE    PURITANS. 


IV. 

JOSIAH  QUINCY, 

ORATOR    OF    REFINED    ENTHUSIASM. 


V. 

JOHN  HANCOCK, 

DIGNIFIED    CAVALIER    OF   LIBERT Y. 


VI. 

JOSEPH  WARREN, 

TYPE    OF    OUR  MARTIAL    ELOQUENCE. 


C  O  N  TENTS. 


VII. 

JOHN  ADAMS, 

ORATOR    OF    BLENDED    ENTHUSIASM    AND    SOBRIETY. 


VIII. 

PATRIOTIC  PIETY  OF  '76. 

* 

IX. 
PATRICK  HENRY, 

THE  INCARNATION  OF  REVOLUTIONARY  ZEAL. 


X. 

RICHARD  HENRY  LEE, 

THE    POLISHED     STATESMAN. 


XL 

ALEXANDER  HAMILTON, 

THE  MASTER  OF  POLITICAL    SAGACITY. 


XII. 
FISHER  AMES, 

ORATOR  OF   GENIUS  AND  ELABORATE  BEAUTY. 


XIII. 

WILLIAM  PINKNEY, 

THE   ACCOMPLISHED  COUNSELLOR. 


XIV. 
WILLIAM  WIRT, 

THE   ELEGANT  ADVOCATE. 


m 

CONTENTS. 

XV. 

THOMAS  ADDIS  EMMET, 

OF  DE 

XVI. 

JOHN  RANDOLPH, 

THE  IMPERSONATION  OF  SARCASM. 

* 


A 
••^* 


» 


PREFACED 


THE  following  work  is  an  attempt  to  present  the  oratorical 
features  of  the  American  Revolution.  The  political  history 
of  the  country  rft,s  been  ably  written.  Vivid  delineations  of 
our  early  martial  heroes  are  also  before  the  public.  All  the 
great  leaders  in  the  various  departments  of  statesmanship, 
literature,  science  and  art,  have  received  the  meed  of  skillful 
scrutiny  and  discriminated  praise.  In  view  of  this  general 
appreciation  of  our  illustrious  fathers,  it  is  the  more  remark- 
able that  so  little  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  particular 
merits  of  the  great  leaders  of  the  American  forum.  True,  a 
good  deal  has  been  said  of  them  in  biographical  sketches, 
legislative  history,  and  traditionary  annals ;  but  we  are  not 
aware  that  any  work  has  heretofore  been  devoted  to  a  criti- 
cal and  comprehensive  examination  of  our  great  orators  as 
such.  Many  pointed  allusions  and  partial  descriptions  lie 

* 


PREFACE. 


about  in  books  of  various  kinds,  facts,  anecdotes,  and  frag- 
mentary sentiments,  which  are  to  a  full  analysis  of  specific 
traits  and  the  judicious  estimate  of  individual  worth,  what  a 
confused  mass  of  indefinite  outlines  are  to  a  gallery  of  elabo- 
rate full-lengths,  each  distinctly  drawn,  rounded  into  sym- 
metrical shape  and  colored  with  appropriate  tone. 

Our  leading  speakers,  in  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  times, 
were  distinguished  not  more  for  their  general  ability,  than 
for  the  wonderful  ffriginality  of  talent  with  which  each  in 
particular  was  characterized.  To  indicate  this  individuality 
of  oratorical  excellence,  and  the  results  which  by  a  mighty 
unity  in  diversity  were  produced,  is  the  object  of  the  present 
publication. 

Each  one  of  the  following  portraitures  briefly  comprehends 
the  earthly  career  of  its  subject  ;  but,  in  accordance  with  the 
above  avowal,  the  reader  may  expect  to  meet  with  historical 
details,  only  so  far  as  they  are  requisite  to  explain  the  pre- 
liminary training  and  elucidate  the  peculiar  eloquence  of  the 
master  under  consideration.  The  dates  and  circumstances 
employed  for  this  purpose  the  author  has  gathered  from  all 
the  resources  within  his  reach. 

It  will  be  observed  that  several  of  the  personages  herein 
portrayed  do  not  strictly  belong  to  the  Revolutionary  period 
of  our  history.  But,  like  the  great  patriots  who  preceded 
them  in  the  battles  of  life  and  solemnities  of  death,  their 
merits  are  worthy  of  profound  study  and  perpetual  emulation. 


PREFACE.  XV 

• 

The  Ikst  four  names  in  the  present  series  represent  an  hnpres- 
sive  group,  more  recently  departed,  from  whom  we  may  here- 
after turn  to  contemplate  the  Living  Orators  in  America. 

E.  L.  M. 

Cincinnati,  July  4th,  1848. 


- 


CHAPTER  r:   • 

— v^w^_  #  ' 

THE  SATTLE-FIELDS  OF  EARLY  AMERICAN 
ELOQUENCE. 


[EAT  is  the  power  of  local  association.  To  none  is 
its  influence  indifferent,  but  it  is  the  most  thrilling  to 
minds  of  the  most  delicate  tone.  Reverence  for  the 
scenes  of  exalted'deeds  is  a  noble  instinct  planted  in  our 
hearts  for  noble  ends.  It  is  inarticulate  adoration  ad- 
dressed, not  more  to  the  understanding  than  to  the  heart. 
To  be  in  a  high  degree  void  of  this,  is  an  evidence  of 
personal  ignominy  and  a  presage  of  deserved  oblivion. 

Doctor  Johnson,  in  a  well-khowii  'passage,  happily 
refers  to  those  feelings,  which  local  associations  awaken 
in  the  refined  bosom.  On  arriving  at  Icolmkill,  in  his 
"  Tour-  to  the  Western.  Islands,"  he  wrote : 

"  We  are  now  treading  that  illustrious  island,  which 
was  once  the  luminary  of  the  Caledonian  regions, 
whence  savage  clans  and  roving  barbarians  derived  the 
benefits  of  knowledge  and  the  blessings  of  religion.  To 
abstract  the  mind  from  all  local  emotion  would  be  im- 
possible if  it  were  endeavored ;  and  would  be  foolish  if 
it  were  possible.  Whatever  withdraws  us  from  the 
power  of  the  senses ;  whatever  makes  the  past,  the  dis- 
tant, or  the  future  predominate  over  the  present ;  ad- 


1§  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICA?^  REVOLUTION. 

vances  us  in  the  dignity  of  thinking  beings.  Far  from 
me,  and  from  my  friends,  be  such  frigid  philosophy  as 
may  conduct  us,  indifferent  and-* unmoved,  over  any 
ground^hich  hasten  dignified  by  *wisdom,  bravery  or 
virtue.  That  man  is  little  to  be  envied  whose  patriot- 
ism would  not  gain  force  on  the  plain  of  Marathon,  or 
whose  piety  would  not  grow  warmer  among  the  ruins 
oflona." 

The  associations  which  are  the  most  affecting  are 
moral.  The  venerable  monuments  of  the  past,  "and 
localities  connected  with  which  great  events  transpired, 
are  invested  with  irresistible  attractions  to  a  susceptible 
heart  and  cultivated  mind.  They  snafch  the  soul  away 
in  rapture,  as  if  it  had  already  traversed  the  tomb,  and 
on  the  bosom  of  immensity  imbue  it  with  the  inexhausti- 
ble glories  which  Jehovah  has  diffused  through  the 
universe : 

•  •        • 
"The  mind  toath  no  horizon, 

It  looks  beyond  the  eye,  and  seeks  for  mind 
In  all  it  sees,  in  all  it  sees  o'erruling." 

• 

It  was  with  reference  to  this  power  of  local  associa- 
tion that  the  ancient  poet,  when  describing  the  battle  of 
Salamis,  together  with  the  temples  of  their  gods,  and  the 
persons  of  those  most  dear  to  them,  mentioned  also-the 
tombs  of  their  fathers  as  the  objects  best  fitted  to  rouse 
the  courage  and  inflame  the  patriotism  of  the  Athenians 
in  times  of  peril.  Cicero  beautifully  alludes  to  the 
pleasure,  which  every  accomplished  mind  experiences 
•when  exercised  on  the  spots  sanctified  by  illustrious 
characters.  -  t  Germanicus\visited  Athens  with  venera- 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOaUENCE.  IQ. 

tion;  and  during  his  stay,  divested  himself  of  every 
insignia  of  power.  Atticus  paused  with  awe  among  its 
tombs  and  monuments  :  Julian  shed  te*rs,  on  quitting 
its  bowers  and  groves  :  '  Leo  Allatries  wept  overthe  ruins 
of  a  house  which  was  said  once  to  hiree  belonged  to  Ho- 
mer. And  why  are  the  ruins  of  that  illustrious  city  so 
thrilling  to  a  cultivated  and  reflecting  mind  ?  Because 
it  was  the  focus  of  intelligence  ;  the  arena  of  the  noblest 
strife  of  the  noblest  heroes. 

Still  do  we  trace  there  the  bold  terrace  of  the  Pnyx  ; 
the  scene  of  the  stormy  assemblies  of  the  free  people  of 
Athens,  and  the  battle-ground  of  her  mightiest  orators. 
Hither  resorted  the  intellectual  sovereigns'  of  the  world  ; 
the  patriots  who 


"*7 


"  Shook  the  arsenal,  and  fulmined  over  Greece, 
To  Macedon  and  ARTAXERXES'  throne." 

It  was  thence  that  Dejnosthenes  spoke,  and  excited  or 
calmed  the  sea  of  popular  commotion,  more  powerful 
than  the  ^Egean,  whose  billows,  dashing  near,  mingled 
their  roar  with  the  thunders  of  his  eloquence. 

There  is  a  hallowed  fellowship  existing  between  all 
master  minds.  The  most  meritorious  are  always  the 
first  to  recognize  the  claims  of  merit  in  others,  the, 
acutest  to  feel  their  excellence,  and  the  most  eloquent  to 
proclaim  their  worth.  When  Cicero  visited  Athens,  be 
wrote  the  following  query  : 

"  Shall  I  ascribe  it  to  a  law  of  our  nature,  or  to  a  de- 
lusive habit  of  mind,  that  when  we  look  upon  the  scenes 
which  illustrious  men  of  old  frequented,  our  feelings  are 
more  deeply  excited  than  even  by  hearing  the  record  of 


20  ORATORS    OF   THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

their  deeds,  or  perusing  the  works  of  their  genius? 
Such  is  the  emotion  I  now  experience,  when  I  think, 
that  here  Plato  was  accustomed  to  discourse ;  these  gar- 
dens around  us  not  merely  recall  the  idea  of  the  sage  to 
my  memory,  but  place,  as  it  were,  his  very  form  be- 
fore my  eyes.  Here,  too.  Speusippus'  taught ;  here 
Xepocrates,  here  his  disciple,  Poleraon  ',  this  is  the  very 
seat  he  used  to  occupy." 

From  these  words  of  the  great  son  of  Rome,  turn  for 
a  moment  to  the  scene  of  his  grandest  struggles,  that 
arena  whereon  the  mightest  spirits  met  in  terrible  con- 
flict, the  Forum.  Here,  while  Romans  were  freemen, 
all  state  affairs  were  debated  in  the  most  public  manner, 
and  the  spot  perhaps  deserved  the  praise  of  being  "the 
noblest  theatre  on  this  side  of  heaven."  Elevated  in 
the  midst  of  the  great  square  was  the  rostra,  from  which, 
with  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  capitol,  which  immediately 
faced  him,  and  the  Tarpeian  rock,  with  which  the  most 
impressive  associations  of  honor  and  infamy  were  con- 
nected, the  noblest  of  orators,  "  wielded  at  will  the  fierce 
democracy,"  filling  all  bosoms  with  a  passionate  love  of 
freedom  and  the  glory  of  the  Roman  race.  Cicero,  in 
his  work  de  Finibus,  has  indicated  a  fine  trait  of  his 
character  in  the  following  remark : 

"  Often  when  I  enter  the  senate  house,  the  shades  of 
\  Sqipio,  of  Cato,  and  of  Laelius,  and  in  particular  of  my 
venerable  grandfather,  rise  to  my  imagination." 

Every  elegant  mind  will  be  thus  haunted  in  the  same 
localities. 

The  scene  that  beneficent  spirits  have  visited  "re- 
mains hallowed  to  all  time,"  says  Schiller;  it  is  still 


FIELDS   OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOaUENCE.  21 

"blessed,  though  robbers  haunt  the  place."  Southey 
adds,  "He  whose  heart  is  not  excited  upon  the  spot 
which  a  martyr  has  sanctified  by  his  sufferings,  or  at  the 
grave  of  one  who  has  largely  benefitted  mankind,  must 
be  more  inferior  to  the  multitude  by  *his  moral,  than  he 
can  possibly  be  raised  above  them  in  his  intellectual 
nature."  We  are  indebted  to  the  influence  of  local  as- 
sociation, for  one  of  the  most  valuable  productions  in 
modern  history.  It  was  in  the  Church  of  St.  Maria 
4!_Ara  Coeli,  on  the  Capitoline  Hill  at  Rome,  as  Gibbon 
himself  tells  us :  "On  the  fifteenth  of  October,  1764,  as  he 
sat  musing  amid  the  ruins  of  the  capitol,  while  the  bare- 
footed friars  were  singing  Vespers,  that  the  idea  of  writ- 
ing the  Decline  and  Fall  of  the  city  first  started  to  his 
mind." 

Why  is  Pompeii  so  full  of  thrilling  associations  to  the 
thoughtful  traveller?  It  is  because  he  there  views  a 
city  that  was  old  when  CHRIST  was  a  babe,  the  well  pre- 
served homes  of  a  thousand  happy  circles  all  of  whom 
perished  long  before  our  ancestors  had  a  language  or  the 
world  a  substantial  hope.  It  is  a  city  that  reposed 
twenty  centuries  in  the  bosom  of  the  earth,  with  nations 
trampling  above,  while  its  monuments  and  decorations 
have  been  so  well  preserved,  and  now  stand  out  so 
brightly  in  brilliant  day,  that  a  contemporary  of  Augus- 
tus, returning  to  its  sheets,  its  forums,  its  temple-fanes 
and  tesselated  boudoirs,  might  exclaim : 

"  I  greet  thee,  O  my  country !  my  dwelling  is  the  only 
spot  upon  the  earth  which  has  preserved  its  form;  an 
immunity  extending  even  to  the  smallest  objects  of  my 
affection.  Here  is  my  couch;  there  are  my  favorite 


22  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION". 

authors.  My  paintings,  also,  are'  still  fresh  as  when  the 
ingenious  artist  spread  them  over  my  walls.  Come,  let 
us  traverse  the,  town ;  let  us  visit  the  'drama ;  I  recog- 
nize the  spot  where  I  joined  for  the  first  time  in  the 
plaudits  given  to  the  fine  scenes  of  Terence  and  Euri- 
pides. Rome  is  but  one  vast  museum;  Pompeii  is  a 
living  antiquity." 

On  visiting  the  universities  of  Cambridge  and  Oxford, 
the  ingenuous  scholar  is  inspired  by  the  genius  of  the 
place.  He  remembers  that  within  those  venerable  walls, 
Hooker  and  Johnson,  Bacon  and  Newton  pursued  the 
walks  of*  science,  and  thence  soared  to  the  most  elevated 
heights  of  literary  renown.  It  was  the  same  noble  emu- 
lation that  Tully  experienced  at  Athens,  when  he  con- 
templated the  portico  where  Socrates  sat,  and  the  laurel 
grove  where  Plato  discoursed. 

But  the  most  interesting  associations  we  can  explore 
are  those  connected  with  the  early  struggles  of  our 
country  to  be  free.  This  topic  is  the  most  important, 
and  we  shall  dwell  on  it  more  at  length. 

In  glancing  at  the  historical  events  of  our  Revolution, 
we  escape  from  the  obscurity  which  invests  the  "dim 
and  shadowy  visions"  of  a  remoter  past. '  We  contem- 
plate an  age  crowded,  indeed,  with  unparalleled  and 
stupendous  events,  but  one  perfectly  authentic  and  lu- 
minous with  the  highest  degree  of  splendor.  Mr.  Alison* 
describes  the  era  of  our  national  birth  in  the  following 

O 

high  strain  of  eloquence  :- 

"The  .reign  of  George  III.,  embraces,  beyond  all 
question,  the  most  eventful  and  -important  period  in  the 
annals  of  mankind.  In  its  eventful  days  were  combined 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOQUENCE,  23 

the  growth  of  Grecian  democracy  with  the  passions  of 
Roman  ambition  ;  the  fervor  of  plebeian  zeal  with  the 
pride  of  aristocratic  power ;  the  blood  of  Marius  with 
the  genius  of  Caesar ;  the  opening  of  a  nobler  hemisphere 
to  the  enterprize  of  Columbus,  with  the  rise  .of  a  social 
agent  as  mighty  as  the  press  or  the  powers  of  steam. 

"  But  if  new  elements  were  called  into  action  in  the 
social  world,  of  surpassing  strength  and  energy,  in  the 
course  of  this  memorable  reign,  still  more  remarkable 
were  the  characters  which  rose  to  eminence  during 
its  continuance.  The  military  genius,  unconquerable 
courage,  and  enduring  constancy  of  Frederic ;  the  ar- 
dent mind,  burning  eloquence,  and  lofty  patriotism  of 
Chatham;  the  incorruptible  integrity,  sagacious  intel- 
lect, and  philosophic  spirit  of  Franklin ;  the  disinterested 
virtue,  prophetic  wisdom,  and  imperturbable  fortitude  of 
WASHINGTON;  the  masculine  understanding,  feminine 
passions,  and  blood-stained  ambition  of  Catharine,  would 
alone  have  been  sufficient  to  cast  a  radiance  over  any 
other  age  of  the  world.  But  bright  as  were  the  stars  of 
its  morning  light,  more  brilliant  still  was  the  constella- 
tion which  shone  forth  in  its  meridian  splendor,  or  cast 
a  glow  over  the  twilight  of  its  evening  shades.  Then 
were  to  be  seen  the  rival  genius  of  Pitt  and  Fox,  which, 
emblematic  of  the  antagonist  powers  which  then  con- 
vulsed mankind,  shook  the  British  Senate  by  their  vehe- 
mence, and  roused  the  spirit  destined,  ere  -long,  fo'r  the 
dearest  interests  of  humanity,  to  array  the  world  in 
arms ;  then  the  great  soul  of  Burke  <3ast  off  the -unworld- 
ly fetters  of  ambition  or  party,  and,  fraught  with  a 
giant's  force  and  a  prophet's  wisdom,  regained  its  destiny 


24  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

in  the  cause  of  mankind ;  then  the  arm  of  Nelson  cast 
its  thunderbolts  on  .every  shore,  and  preserved  unscath- 
ed in  the  deep  the  ark  of  Europ&an  freedom  ;  and,  ere 
his  reign  expired,  the  wisdom  of  Wellington  had  erected 
an  impassible  barrier  to  Gallic  ambition,  and  said,  even 
to  the  deluge  of  imperial  power,  "  Hitherto  shalt  thou 
come  and  no  farther,  and  here  shall  thy  proud  waves  be 
stayed."  Nor  were  splendid  genius,  heroic  virtue,  gi- 
gantic wickedness,  wanting  on  the  opposite  side  of  this 
heart-stirring  conflict.  }  Mirabeaulhad  thrown  over  the 
morning  of  the  French  Revolution  the  brilliant  but  de- 
ceitful light  of  Democratic  genius ;  Danton  had  colored 
its  noontide  glow  with  the  passions  and  the  energy  of  tri- 
bunitian  power  ;  |  Carnot^had  exhibited  the  combination, 
rare  in  a  corrupted  age,  of  Republican  energy  with  pri- 
vate virtue ;  'Robespierre  jhad  darkened  its  evening  days 
by  the  blood  and  agony  of  selfish  ambition ;  Napoleon 
had  risen  like  a  meteor  over  its  midnight  darkness, 
dazzled  the  world  by  the  brightness  of  his  genius  and  the 
lustre  of  his  deeds,  and  mred  its  votaries,  by  the  deceitful 
blaze  of  glory,  to  perdition. 

"  In  calmer  pursuits  in  the  tranquil  walks  of  science 
and  literature,  the  same  age  was,  beyond  all  others,  fruit- 
ful in  illustrious  men.  Doctor  Johnson,  the  strongest 
intellect  and  the  most  profound  observer  of  the  eighteenth 
century ;  Gibbon  the  architect  of  a  bridge  over  the  dark 
gulf  which  separates  ancient  from  modern  times,  whose 
vivid  genius  has  tinged  with  brilliant  colors  the  greatest 
historical  work  in  existence ;  Hume,  whose  simple  but 
profound  history  will  be  coeval  with  the  long  and  event- 
ful thread  t>f  English  story ;  Robertson,  who  first  threw 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOdUENCE.  25 

over  the  maze  of  human  events  the  light  of  philosophic 
genius  and  the  spirit  of  enlightened  reflection;  Gray, 
whose  burning  thoughts  had  been  condensed  in  words 
of  more  than  classic  beauty;  Burns,  whose  lofty  soul 
spread  its  own  pathos  and  dignity  over  the  "  short  and 
simple  annals  of  the  poor;"  SSmithJwho  called  into 
existence  a  new  science,  fraught  with  the  dearest  in- 
terests of  humanity,  and  nearly  brought  it  to  perfection 
in  a  single  life-time ;  )Reid,Avho  carried  into  the  recesses 
of  the  human  mind  the  torch  of  cool  and  sagacious  in- 
quiry ;  \Stewart,)who  cast  a  luminous  glance  over  the 
philosophy  of  mind,  and  warmed  the  inmost  recesses  of 
metaphysical  inquiry  by  the  delicacy  of  taste  and  the 
glow  of  eloquence ;  ]Watt,/vho  added  an  unknown  power 
to  the  resources  of  art,  and  in  the  regulated  force  of 
steam,  discovered  the  means  of  approximating  the  most 
distant  parts  of  the  earth,  and  spreading  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  nature  the  wonders  of  European  enterprise  and 
the  blessings  of  Christian  civilization;  these  formed 
some  of  the  ornaments  of  the  period,  during  its.  earlier 
and  more  pacific  times,  forever  memorable  in  the  annals 
of  scientific  acquisition  and  literary  greatness." 

The  colonial  and  revolutionary  history  in  this  country 
comported  with  the  intellectual  character  of  the  age  just 
sketched.  The  founders  of  our  colonies,  the  Winthrops, 
the  Smiths,  the  Raleighs,  the  Penns,  the  Oglethorpes, 
were  among  the  most  accomplished  scholars  and  ele- 
gant writers,  as  well  as  the  most  elevated  and  pure 
spirits  of  their  time.  They  were  men  of  severe  morali- 
ty and  unblemished  integrity,  as  distinguished  for  private 
purity  as  for  public  virtue.  Being  driven  in^Lwar,  they 
2  ~" 


26  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

drew  their  swords  for. opinion's  sake;  having. entered 
the  contest  on  conscientious  grounds,  they  deemed  no 
sacrifice  too  great  to  be  made  in  defence  of  their  rights. 

"  Such  were  the  men  of  old,  whose  tempered  blades 
Dispersed  the  shackles  of  usurped  control, 
And  hewed  them  link  from  link :  then  Albion's  sons 
Were  sons  indeed ;  they  felt  a  filial  heart 
Beat  high  within  them  at  a  mother's  wrongs; 
And  shining  each  in  his  domestic  sphere 
Shone  brighter  still  when  called  to  public  view." 

Diodorus  Siculus  tells  us  that  the  forest  of  the  Pyre- 
nean  mountains  being  set  on  fire,  and  the  heat  penetrat- 
ing the  soil,  a  pure  stream  of  silver  gushed  forth  from 
the  earth's  bosom,  and  revealed  for  the  first  time  the 
existence  of  those  mines  afterwards  so  celebrated.  So, 
in  circumstances  of  severe  trial,  intellectual  resources 
are  developed  in  copious  and  splendid  profusion. 

The  heroical  pioneers  of  freedom  in  our  land  were  not 
only  conscious  of  the  dignity  and  importance  .of  the  im- 
mediate consequences  of  their  acts,  but  they  "were 
prophetic  of  the  future  grandeur  which  their  country  was 
destined  to  attain.  The  spirit  of  -lofty  and  wise  patriotism 
was  diffused  through  all  classes,  and  the  resolute  deter- 
mination to  resist  oppression  was  shared  by  all.  Ameri- 
can mothers  early  learned,  like  the  Spartan  matron,  to 
say  to  their  sons  marching  to-battle,  "Return  victorious, 
or  return  no  more." 

Another  striking  feature  in  our  primitive  annals  was 
the  unanimity  of  purpose  and  action  which  subsisted 
among  all  the  early  patriots.  The  parent  colonies  teem 
with  chajjm  "  unborrowed  from  the  eye."  They  abound 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOQUENCE.  27 

with  scenes  which  memory  has  sanctified,  history  com- 
memorated, and  poetry  adorned ;  every  rivulet  has  its 
hallowed  associations,  every  secluded  lake  and  untamed 
forest  haunts  the  imagination  with  reminiscences  of 
savage  times;  every  field  has  its  tale  of  blood,  every 
shore  its  1'ecord  of  suffering,  and  "  not  a  mountain  lifts 
its  head  unsung,"  or  unworthy  of  heroic  strains.  Al- 
though the  external  aspect  of  nature  is  becoming  rapidly 
changed  by  the  inroads  of  unexampled  enterprise,  and 
many  vestiges  of  primitive  wildness  are  swept  away, 
still 

"  A  spirit  hangs,  •  . 

Beautiful  region !  o'er  thy  towns  and  farms, 
Statues  and  temples,  and  memorial  tombs." 

But  one  impulse  moved  our  fathers  in  the  great  work 
they  were  commissioned  to  perform.  Each  one  was  full 
of  the  sentiment  of  Grattan,  "  I  never  will  be  satisfied  so 
long  as  the  meanest  of  mortals  has  a  link  of  the  British 
chain  clanking  on  his  limbs ;  and  the  declaration  is  plant- 
ed, and  though  great  men  should  apostatize,  yet  the 
cause  shall  live ;  and  though  the  public  speaker  should 
die,  yet  the  immortal  fire  shall  outlast  the  organ  that  con- 
veyed it,  and  the  breath  of  liberty,  like  the  word  of  the 
holy  man,  will  not  die  with  the  prophet,  but  survive 
him." 

T-hat  spirit  has  survived  its  first  propagators,  enhanc- 
ed in  value,  if  possible,  by  the  recollection  that,  equally 
in  the  remotest  sections,  there  was  unanimous  prompti- 
tude for  a  common  defence,  and  not  one  recreant  among 
avowed  patriots  to  disgrace  their  toil. 

The  blood  that  was  shed  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 


28  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

was  shed  in  the  defence  of  essential  rights,  and  to  secure 
independence  for  all.  The  bond  of  mutual  sympathy 
was  strong,  and  the  interchange  of  patriotic  labors  de- 
lightful. The  most  glorious  victories  of  the  south,  were 
won  by  a  northern  general ;  and  the  greatest  achieve- 
ments north  of  the  Potomac,  distinguishes  the  name  of  a 
southern  officer.  Patriots  did  not  then  stop  to  calculate 
the  value  of  the  UnirJn,  and  strike  a  balance  between 
imaginary  and  substantial  allegiance  to  a  common  coun- 
try. Then  the  richest  consolation  men  enjoyed  in  life 
and  in  death,  was  that  their  sacred  trust  as  statesmen 
and  fellow  citizens  had  been  discharged  with  equal 
fidelity  to  every  portion  of  the  struggling  land,  and  that 
the  fruits  of  that  fidelity,  consecrated  with  their  tears 
and  blood,  were  entailed  on  their  latest  posterity.  Not 
yet  are  statues  and  columns,  and  temples  dedicated  to 
each  of  that  immortal  band.  Perhaps  the  most  appro- 
priate monument  and  which  best  comports  with  their 
character  and. fame,  is  the  one  they  themselves  erected ; 
the  simple  and  sublime  grandeur  of  our  vast  Republic. 

The  influence  of  local  association  is  strongly  felt  in 
the  bosom  of  every  American  who  visits  the  crumbling 
ruins  of  Jamestown,  "Glorious  still  in  all  her  old  decay ;" 
or  the  unwasted  -  rock  at  Plymouth ;  the  solid  shore  on 
which  the  Pilgrims  first  stepped,  and  which  is  immortal 
like  Marathon  or  Nazareth.  Truly  said  the  great  states- 
man of  the  north : 

"  We  shall  not  stand  unmoved  on  the  shore  of  Ply- 
mouth, while  the  sea  continues  to  wash  it ;  nor  will  our 
brethren  in  another  early  and  ancient  colony  forget  the 
place  of  its  first  establishment,  till  their  river  shall  cease 


* 


WELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOttUENCE.  29 

to  flow  by  it.  No  vigor  of  youth,  no  maturity  of  man- 
hood, will  lead  the  nation  to  forget  the  spots  where  its 
infancy  was  cradled  and  defended." 

He  must  have  sensibilities  dull  indeed  who  can  con- 
template unmoved  the  original  dresses  still  preserved  in 
"  Pilgrim  Hall ;"  the  very  plates  from  which  our  ances- 
tors feasted  and  thanked  God,  and  the  venerable  records 
in  which  their  .own  hands  inscribed  the  incidents  of  their 
ficst  days  on  this  continent,  the  most  sad  and  sublime  of 
history.  "  Where  a  spring  rises  or  a  river  flows,"  says 
Seneca,  "  There  should  we  build  altars  and  offer  sacri- 
fices." We  feel  the  force  of  this  sentiment  when  we 
bend  over  the  "  sweet  and  delicate  springs  of  water,"  for 
.  which  the  Pilgrims  rendered  especial  gratitude,  and  which 
are  still  gushing  at  the  foot  of  that  hill,  hard  by  the 
sounding  sea,  on  the  dreary  summit  of  which,  in  that 
bleak  December,  the  first  germs  of  our  nation  sought  a 
refuge  amid  drifting  snows.  Commerce  is  now  busy 
there,  wealth,  science  and  art  are  multiplying  their  monu- 
ments all  around,  but  O!  let  them  not  encroach  on  the 
sacred  precincts  of  that  hill's  summit — the  first  burial- 
ground  of  our  land  ;  leave  that  as  a  hallowed  shrine 
where  the  remotest  descendants  of  the  pure  and  the  free 
from  his  hearth  far-off  by  the  shore  of  the  Pacific,  may 
come  and  listen  to  the  kindred  tones  of  the  Atlantic,  and 
the  holy  melody  of  night-winds  as  they  sigh  a  perpetual 
requiem  over  the  graves  of  the  first  victims  of  that 
dreadful  •  winter,  Carver,  White,  Rose  Standish,  and 
Mary  Allerton.  In  the  language  of  a  distinguished 
poet,  now  living  in  New  England,  may  we  not 
exclaim : 


30  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN  'REVOLUTION. 

"  Oh  !  if  the  young  enthusiast  bears 

O'er  weary  waste  and  sea  the  stone 
Which  crumhjed  from  the  Forum's  stairs 

Or  round  the  Parthenon  ; 
Or  olive-bough  from  some  wild  tree, 
Hung  over  old  Thermopylae  : 

"If  leaflets  from  some  hero's'tomb, 

Or  moss-wreath  torn  from  ruins  hoary, 
Or  faded  flowers  whose  sisters  bloom 

On  fields  renowned  in  st6"ry ; 
Or  fragments  from  the  Alhambra's  crest, 
Or  the  gray  rock  by  Druids  blest ! 

*?'  If  it  be  true  that  things  like  these 

To  heart  and  eye  bright  visions  bring, 
Shall  not  far  holier  memories 

To  these  memorials  cling? 
Which  need  no  mellowing  mist  of  time 
To  hide  the  crimson  stains  of  crime  ! 

But  the  most  remarkable  characteristic  of  our  early 
history  is,  that  Providence  seems  to  have  assigned  each 
man  an  e'special  duty,  and  to  have  marked  each  battle-  ^^ 
field  of  forensic  strife  with  distinguished  honors.     It  is  " 
interesting  to  observe  how  the  citadel  of  oppression  was  * 
attacked  at -different  points,  and  a  stone  loosened  here 
and  there,  by  individual  efforts,  preparatory  to  the  gen- 
eral storm  and  complete  downfall.     James  Otis,  in  his 
argument  against  "Writs  of  Assistance,"  avowed  and 
triumphantly  defended  the  doctrine,  that  "  taxation  with- 
out representation  is  tyranny ;"  and  Samuel  Adams,  in 
a  college  exercise  pronounced  in  the  presence  of  the 
chief  minions  of  British  po\ver,  boldly  announced  for  his 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICA*,7    ELOQUENCE.  31 

theme  that  "Resistance  to  the  Chief  Magistrate  is  a 
duty,  when  the  Commonwealth  cannot  otherwise  be 
preserved."  These  were  radical  principles  and  struck 
at  the  foundation  of  all  colonial  wrongs. 

About  the  same  time,  Patrick  Henry  led  off  the  south, 
era' wing  of  freedom's  young  army  in  a  most  bold  and 
daring  manner.  The  ruins  of  the.  old  House  of  Bur- 
gesses will  be  for  ever  associated  with  his  name.  It  was 
on  that  spot,  in  1764,  that  he  originated  the  great  ques- 
tion which  led  eventually  to  American  Independence. 
The  whole  colony  of  Virginia  was  confounded  and  dispir- 
ited on  the  promulgation  of  the  Stamp- Act.  It  was  in  that 
dark  crisis  that  Henry  arose,  and  the  thunders  of  his 
eloquence  were  heard,  holding  up  to  public  indignation 
the  tyranny  of  Great  Britain,  and  animating  his  coun- 
trymen to  resist  the  injustice  which  in  that  Act  she  had 

.  presumed  to  inflict.  It  was  in  allusion  to  the  august 
scene,  when  this  ;<  forest-bofn  Demosthenes"  boldly 
braved  the  popular  feeling  of  the  world  and  the  world's 
greatest  power,  that  Jefferson  declared,  "Mr.  Henry 
ertainly  gave  the  first  impulse  to  the  ball  of  the 
evolution." 

w  The  same  hand  smote  down  another  iniquitous  prin- 
ciple i'n  the  old  court-house  yet  standing  in  Hanover 
county.  We  refer  to  the  famous  controversy  between 
the  clergy  on  the  one  hand  and  the  people  of  the  colony 
on  the  other,  touching  the  stipend  claimed  by  the  former. 
Goaded  to  a  sense  of  religious  freedom  by  the  arrogance 
of  a  state  establishment  and  the  stings  of  intolerance,  the 
colonists  sought  _a  defender  of  their  rights,  and  found 
him  in  the  person  of  a  rustic  patriot,  then  but  twenty. 


32  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

four  years  old.  We  need  not  here  recount  the  splendid 
scene  when  Henry  delivered  his  famous  "^speech  against 
the  parsons."  making  the  blood  of  all  to  run  cold,  and 
their  hair  to  rise  on  end. 

It  was  thus  that  Otis,  by  the  flames  of  his.  eloquence, 
calcined  the  corner-stone  ef  legal  tyranny,  and  Henry 
with  a  thunder-bolt  shattered  the  key-stone  of  ecclesias- 
tical wrongs.  Like  Hercules  and  Theseus,  they  were 
the  avengers  of  the  oppressed  and  the  destroyers  of 
monsters.  These  were  not  men  who,  as.  Burke  said  of 
the  aristocratic  politicians  of  .his  acquaintance,  had  been 
"•rocked  and  dandled  into  legislators."  James  Otis  and 
Patrick  Henry  were,  above  all  others,  best  fitted  for  the 
emergency  to  which  they  were  born,  because  they  dared 
to  say  more  in  public  than  any  other  men.  They  pos- 
sessed the  brawny  strength  of  the  giant  under  whose 
massy  club  the  hydra  fell,  and  the  ethereal "  terrors  that 
rendered  Jupiter  Tonans  dreadful  to  his  foes,  rather 
than  the  effeminate  ease  and  elegant  locks  of  Adonis, 
graceful  in  the  dance,  but  inefficient  on  the  field  of 
severe  and  solemn  conflict. 

Every  conquest  of  value  is  at  the  price  of  popuh 
commotion  and  heroic  blood.  Men  must  dare.if 
would  win.  The  atmosphere  we  breathe  would  stag- 
nate without  tempests,  and  the  ocean  becomes  putrid 
without  agitation.  Galileo  fought  in  the  observatory 
and  suffered  in  prison  while  establishing  the  true  doc- 
trines of  astronomy.  Otis,  Henry  and  Adams  struggled 
on  the  rostrum,  and  pleaded  with  a  price  set  upon  their 
heads,  while  they  cleared  a  space  for  the  sunshine  and 
growth  of  enlarged  liberty.  They  were  just  the  men 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOaUENCE.  33 

for  the  task.  They  struck  for  freedom  and  not  for 
plunder,  and  s^ere  ready  to  sacrifice  everything  in  be- 
half of  the  boon  for  the  attainment^  which  they  fought. 
To  give  battle  single-handed,  like  Codes,  against  a  horde 
of  foes,  or,  like  Cur-tius,  to  immolate  themselves  for  the 
good  of  their  country,  was  a  duty  which  they  courted 
rather  than  shunned.  Those  three  men  were  the  Ho- 
ratii  of  this  nation,  and  their  renown  will  grow  broader 
and  brighter  with  the  lapse  of  time. 

It  is  interesting  to  observe  what  great  results  some- 
times flow  from  little  causes.  On  November  the  seven- 
teenth, 1307,  three  patriotic  Swiss  met  at  night  on  the 
border  of  a  lake  in  the  bosom  of  the  Alps,  and  mutually 
pledged  their  labors  and  their  lives  for  the  disenthral- 
ment  of  their  country.  By  the  blessing  of  Providence 
on  their  efforts,  and  the  vigilance  of  their  successors, 
Freedom  won  and  has  maintained  her  sublime  throne  on 
that  spot  for  six  hundred  years.  Near  the  same  place, 
three  rivulets  pour  their  limpid  waters  and  unite  in  a 
stream  constantly  augmented  as  It  leaves  mountain  and 
forest  behind  and  rushes  on  to  linger  a  while  in  the 
placid  beauty  of  Lake  Constance  ;  thence  it  leaps  down 
the  cataract  of  Schauffhausen,  rolls  along  th6  bases. of 
the  Jura,  the  yosges  and  the  Taurus  ;  traverses  the 
plains  of  Friesland,  waters  the  low  countries  of  Holland ; 
and  having  received  twelve  thousand  tributaries,  flowed 
by  one  hundred  and  fourteen  cities  and  towns,  divided 
eleven  nations,  murmuring  the  history  of  thirty  centuries 
and  diffusing  innumerable  blessings  alt  along  its  course, 
it  stretches  its  mighty  career  from  central  Europe  to  the 
sea.  But  who  can  measure  the  length  or  fathom  the 
2* 


V 

34  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REYOLUTION. 

depth  of  that  current  of  good,  first  opened  by  the  instru- 
mentality of  Otis,  Henry  and  Adams? — a  stream  which, 
more  beneficent  thanr  the  mighty  river  of  Egypt  or  the 
Rhine,  is  destined  to  inundate  and  fertilize  the  world. 

The  source  of  American  independence  may  be  traced 
higher  than  to  the  period  when,  to  speak  in  the  verse 
of  Thomson, 

"  Strait  to  the  voted  aid, 
Free,  cordial,  large,  of  never-failing  source, 
Th'  illegal  imposition  follow'd  harsh, 
With  execution  given,  or  ruthless  sought, 
From  an  insulted  people,  by  a  band. 
Of  the  worst  ruffians,  those  of  tyrant  power." 

It  was  not  the  Stamp- Act  that  produced,  although  it 
immediately  occasioned,  the  struggle  with  the  mother- 
country.  It  has  been*  well  said  ^by  Mr.  Jefferson,  that 
"the  ball  of  the  Revolution  received  its  first  impulse, 
not  from  the  actors  in  that  event,  but  from  the  first 
colonists."  The  latter  emigrated  to  America  in  search 
of  civil  and  religious  freedom ;  they  fled  hither  with  a 
hatred  toward  the  shackles  which  feudal  institutions  and 
the  canon  law  imposed  upon  the  soul.  The  spirit  of 
revolt  against  oppression  originated  in  England,  and 
went  with  .Robinson's  congregation  to  Holland;  thence 
it  emigrated  in  the  Mayflower  to  Plymouth,  and  became 
the  basis  of  all  the  legislation  put  forth  by  the  wisest  of 
colonists.  Our  Pilgrim  Fathers  moulded  their  social 
compacts  and  ecclesiastical  government  in  direct  oppo- 
sition to  the  systems  under  which  they  had  been  so 
severely  oppressed.  But  this  spirit  of  freedom,  which 
had  been  developing  from  the  first  planting  of  the 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN   ELOQUENCE.  35 

colonies,  England  attempted  to  quell.  The  chief  resist- 
ance was  made  to  her  aggressive  measures  fti  Massa- 
chusetts, because  that  colony  was  selected  for  the  .firs.1 
trial  of  tyrannic  control.-  We  have  seen,  however, 
that  the  south  was  as  prompt  to  resist  as.  lier  'more 
oppressed  brethren  at  the  north. 

The  historian  of  Greece  records  the  names  of  ten 
distinguished  orators  who  resisted  the  Macedonian 
conqueror,  and  the  persons  of  whom  he  demanded,  as 
being  hostile  to  his  supremacy.  Our  youthful  colonies, 
soon  after  the  conflict  was  commenced  by  the  venerated 
patriots  already  namsd,  presented  an  array  of  orators 
equal  in  number  and  efficiency  to  those  of  any  land.  ' 
Henry,  Lee,  and  Randolph,  in  the  south,  and  Otis, 
Samuel  Adams,  John  Adams,  Josiah  Quincy,  Hamilton, 
and  others^in  the  north,  rose  in  grandeur  and  usefulness 
as  the  storm  increased;  showing  that  they  were  the 
voices  and  the  beacon-fires  which  God  had  loved  and 
lighted  for  the  welfare  of  mankind. 

Several  coincidences  in  our  early  history  are  remarks 
ble.  The  first  and  last  battle-fields  of  the  Revolution 
are  almost  within  sight  of  the  colleges  where  our  leading 
patriots  were  educated,  and  the  rostra  where  the  first  po- 
pular debates  occurred.  All  the  chief  orators  of  New 
England  were  graduated  at  Harvard;  the  popular  dis- 
cussions which  led  to  actual  conflict  with  the  mother- 
country  took  place  in  the  public  buildings  of  Boston, 
and  the  first  great  battle  for  freedom  raged  on  Bunker 
Hill. 

The  chief  leaders  of  the  patriotic  party  in  the  south 
were  educated  at  the  college  of  William  and  Mary. 


36  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 


Jefferson,,  th^n  a  student,  heard  Patrick  Henry's  first 
eloquent  Denunciation  of  oppression  almost  under  the 
eaves  of  his  Alma  Mater,  as  John  Adams,  then  a  young 
man,  heard  Otis  when  he  first  attacked  the  principle  of 
unjust  taxation  in  the  north.  In  the  immediate  neigh- 
borhood of  Williamsburg,  Cornwallis  surrendered,  and 
the  long  struggle  of  'the  Revolutionary  war  was  closed. 
Thus  the  ball  rested  near  where  it  received  its  first 
impulse.  Without  those  colleges  to  discipline  our 
heroical  fathers,  how  different  would  have  been  the 
destinies  of  the  world  !  Long  may  the  venerable  halls 
remain,  and  there 

"  Long  may  young  Genius  shed  his  sparkling  ray, 
And  throw  his  emanations  bright  around." 

The  apostles  of  liberty  in  America,  like  the  original 
preachers  of  our  holy  religion,  first  proclaimed  their 
doctrines  to  a  few  fishermen  ;  men  of  toil  and  enterprise, 
such  as  Burke  described  :  "  While  we  follow  them 
among  the  tumbling  mountains  of  ice,  and  behold  them 
penetrating  into  the  deepest  frozen  recesses  of  Hudson's 
Bay  and  Davis'  Straits  ;  while  we  are  looking  for  them 
beneath  the  arctic  circle,  we  hear  that  they  have  pierced 
into  the  opposite  region  of  polar  cold:  that  they  are  at 
the  antipodes,  and  engaged  under  the  frozen  serpent  of 
the-  south.  Falkland  Island,  which  seemed  too  remote 
an  object  for  the  gras*p  of  national  ambition,  is  but  a 
stage  and  resting-place  in  the  progress  of  their  victorious 
industry.  Nor  is  the  equinoctial  heat  more  discouraging 
to  them  than  the  accumulated  winter  of  both  the  poles. 
We  know  that  while  some  of  them  draw  the  line  and 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOaUENCE.  37 

strike  the  harpoon  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  others  run 
the  longitude  and  pursue  their  gigantic  game  %long  the 
coasts  of  Brazil.  No  sea  but  is  vexed  by  their  fisheries ; 
no  climate  that  is  not  witness  to  their  toils.  Neither 
the  perseverance  of  Holland,  nor  the  activity  of  France, 
nor  the  dexterous  and  firm  sagacity  of  English  enter- 
prise, ever  carried  this  most  perilous  mode  of  hardy 
industry  to  the  extent  to  which  it  has  been  pushed  by 
this  recent  people  ;  a  people  who  are  «till,  as  it  were, 
but  in  the  gristle,  and  not  yet  hardened  into  the  bone 
of  manhood. 

"When  I  contemplate  these  things;  when  I  know 
that  the  colonies  in  general  owe  little  or  nothing  to  any 
care  of  ours,  and  that  they  are  not  squeezed  into  this 
happy  form  by  the  constraints  of  a  watchful  and  sus- 
picious government,  but  that  through  a"  wise  and 
salutary  neglect  a  generous  nature  has  been  suffered  to 
take  her  own  way  to  perfection ;  when  I  reflect  upon 
these  effects^;  when  I  see  how  profitable  they  have  been 
to  us,  I  feel  all  the  pride  of  power  sink,  and  all  pre- 
sumption in  the  wisdom  of  human  contrivances  melt 
and  die  away  within  me ;  my  rigor.,  relents  ;  I  pardon 
something  to  the  spirit  of  liberty." 

Such  being  the  spirit  of  enterprise  among  the  colonists 
in  their  efforts  to  obtain  an  honest  livelihood  on  the 
land  and  on  the  sea,  we  cannot  suppose  that  they  would 
long  submit  to  oppressive  exactions.  Popular  discus- 
sions of  popular  wrongs  "soon  became  frequent,  and  one 
of  the  most  noted  places  of  gathering  was  around 
Liberty  Tree.  This  was  a  majestic  elm,  a  species 
peculiar  to  America,  and  one  of  the  grandest  trees  in 


38  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    RETOLUTION. 

^ 

the  world.  It  stood  opposite  where  now  stands  the 
Boyls-ton  *  Market,  with  its  immense  branches  over- 
spreading the  street.  Governor  Bernard,  writing  to 
Lord  Hillsborough,  in  a  lefter  dated  Boston,  Jane  16, 
1763,  gives  the  following  description  of  the  renowned 
spot: 

"Your  lordship  must  know  that  Liberty  Tree  is  a 
large  old  elm  in  -the  High-street,  upon  which  the  effigies 
were  hung  in  the  time  of  the  Stamp-Act,  and  from 
whence  the  mobs  at  that  time  made  their  parades.  It 
has  since  been  adorned  with  an  inscription,  and  has 
obtained  the  name  of  Liberty  Tree,  as  the  ground  under 
it  has  that  of  Liberty  Hall.  In  August  last,  just  before 
the  commencement  of  the  present  troubles,  they  erected 
a  flag-staff,  which  went  through  the  tree  -and  a  good 
deal  above  the  top  of  the'tree.  Upon  this  they  hoist  a 
flag  as  a  signal  for  the  'Sons  of  Liberty,'  as  they  are 
called.  I  gave  my  Lord  Shelburne  an  account  of  thjs 
erection  at  the  time  it  was  made.  This  tree  has  often 
put  me  in  mind  of  Jack  Cade's  '  Oak  of  Reformation.'  " 

The  towering  elm  thus  referred  to  was  the  grand 
rallying-point  for  ihg  ancient  Sons  of  Liberty.  On  its 
sturdy  trunk  notices  of  tyrannical  movements  and  calls 
to  resist  the  same  were  wont  to  appear  in  the  night, 
nobody  could  tell  from  whence  ;  from  its  lofty  branches 
obnoxious  functionaries  were  often  suspended  in  ridi- 
culous representations,  nobody  could  tell  by  whom. 
For  instance,  on  the  fourteen fh  of  August,  1765,  an 
effigy  of  Mr.  Oliver,  recently  appointed  to  distribute  the 
stamps,  and  a  boot  (emblematical  of  Lord  Bute)  with 
the  devil  peeping  out  of  it  with  the  Stamp- Act  in  his 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOdUENCE.  39 

* 

hand,  and  various  other  satirical  emblems,  here  ap- 
peared in  the  manner  described.  By  this  time,  so  strong 
had  the  popular  indignation  become,  that  the  sheriffs, 
when  ordered  to  the  task  by  Chief  Justice  Hutchinson, 
declined  the  danger  of  removing  the  pageantry  from 
the  tree.  It'  would  seem  that  on  this  spot  "liberty- 
poles"  originated,  and  one  now  marks  the  site  of  the 
tree  so  dear  to  our  fathers ;  a  locality  thrilling  indeed  in 
its  associations. 

To  the  thoughtful  American,  as  he  perambulates 
Boston  and  its  vicinity,  there  are  many  scenes  calculated 
to  arrest  and  strongly  to  absorb  attention ;  but,  all 
things  considered,  perhaps  no  place  in  New  England"  is 
more  interesting  than  Faneuil  Hall.  We  have  already 
alluded  to  several  distinguished  battle-fields  -of  early 
American  eloquence,  each  of  which  is  remarkable  for 
the  conquest  of  some  grand  and  specific  principle  of 
freedom.  The  old  State- House,  the  head-quarters  of 
colonial  government  in  Boston,  was  the  arena  on  which 
unrighteous  taxation  was  combatted  and  the  true  ground 

o  " 

won.  The  House  of  Burgesses,  at  Williamsburg,  was 
the  field  on  which  open  rebellion  against  Parliament 
was  first  declared,  and  Hanover  court-house,  in  the 
same  colony,  was  the  blessed  spot  whereon  priestly  rule 
was  effectually  destroyed ;  but  Faneuil  Hall  will  be  for- 
ever memorable  for  still  more  noble  and  enduring  asso- 
ciations. Within  those  venerable  walls  transpired  not 
so  much  the  work  of*destruction  as  construction ; 
patriots  therein  not  only  resisted  wrong,  but  they 
elicited  and  moulded  into  practical  use  the  elements  of 
what  is  right  and  good  ;  while  they  pulled  down  antique 


40  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

forms  of  government,  they  at  the  same  time  built  up  a 
new  order  of  political  and  moral  architecture  the  most 
symmetrical  and  sublime. 

Three  prominent  features  characterize  our  republican 
institutions;  universal  representation,  free  discussion, 
and  the  decision  of  all  questions  by  majorities.  It  is 
easy  to  demonstrate  where  these  fundamental  principles 
were-  first  established. 

The  "  town-meetings"  of  New  England  were  entirely 
a  new  feature  introduced  to  the  world  in  connection 
wkh  political  reform.  A  noted  one  was  held  in  Faneuil 
Hall  on  the  twelfth  of. September,  1768.  Dr.  Cooper 
opened  the  exercises  with  prayer.  A  letter  written  to 
the  commissioners  of  the  British  government,  by  one  of 
their  spies,  gives  us  some  interesting  details  with  respect 
to  the  customs  and  feelings  that  prevailed  in  thejpopular 
meetings  of  these  times.  The  informer  tells  them  that 
the  people  met  in  Faneuil  Hall ;  that  Mr.  Otis  was  chose'n 
moderator,  and  was  received  with  an  universal  clapping 
of  hands ;  that  the  hall  not  being  large  enough  to  con- 
tain them,  they  adjourned  to  Dr.  Sewall's  meeting-house  ; 
that  after  several  motions,  and  the  appointing  a  deputa- 
tion to  wait  on  his  excellency,  they  agreed  to  adjourn  to 
the  next  afternoon ;  "the  moderator  first  making  a  speech 
to  the  inhabitants,  strongly  recommending  peace  and 
good  order^Bnd  the  grievances  the  people  labored  under 
might  be  nPfcme  removed ;  if  not,  and  we  were  called 
on  to  defend  our  liberties  and  "privileges,  he  hoped  and 
believed  we  should  one  and  all  resist,  even  unto  blood  ; 
but  at  the  same  time,  prayed  Almighty  God  it  might 
never  so  happen." 


i:\cc. 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOdUEITCE.  41 

Thus  was  the  right  of  free  discussion  in  a  popular  as- 
sembly asserted  and  exercised,  and  the  still  higher  right 
of  universal  suffrage  connected  therewith.  The  show 
of  hands  decided  every  question,  and  the  hard  hand  of 
the  laboring  man  counted  as  much  as  that  which  signed 
orders  for  tens  of-  thousands.  Such  gatherings  and  dis- 
cussions had  the  most  salutary  effects.  The  peo'ple  be^ 
came  acquainted  with  each  other,  and  felt  the  need  of 
mutual  dependence  as  well  as  mutual  restraint.  The 
influence  of  every  man  was  estimated  according  to  his 
personal  worth.  In  the  popular  strife  for  universal  free- 
dom, they  struck  upon  the  fundamental  principle  of  re- 
publicanism, that  the  majority  must  rule;  it  "was  this 
that  gave  each  member  of  an  assembly  a  pride  in  main- 
taining its  decisions,  as  he  thereby  fortified  his  own  judg- 
ment and  self-respect.  No  sooner  had  these  meetings, 
actuated  and  controlled  by  such  original  and  exalted 
principles,  began  to  be  held  in  the  "Cradle  of  Liberty," 
than  the  sagacious  Burke  recognized  and  proclaimed 
their  superior  dignity.  Said  he  of  the  colonists :  "  Their 
governments  are  popular  in  a  high  degree ;  some  are 
merely  popular,  in  all  the  popular  representative  is  the 
most  weighty;  and  this  share  of  the  people  in  their  or- 
dinary government  never  fails  to  inspire  them  with  lofty 
sentiments  and  with  a  strong  aversion  for  whatever  tends 
to  deprive  them  of  their  chief  importance.^'.  •  But  what 
this  magnanimous  statesman  approved,  othe%  maligned. 
Governor  Bernard  vilified  the  character  of  the  popular 
meetings,  to  which  misrepresentations  the  "  Vindication 
of  the  Town  of  Boston,"  written  by  Otis,  replied  as  fol- 
lows :  "  The  governor  has  often  been  observed  to  dis- 


42          oRATfp.s   OF  Tin:   AMF.K[r.\\   nr.voLrTiox. 

cover  an  aversion  to  free  assemblies  ;  no  wonder  then 
that,  he  should  be  so  particularly  disgusted  at  a  legal 
meeting  of  the  town  of  Boston,  where  a  noble  freedom 
of  speech  is  ever  expected  and  maintained  ;  an  assembly 
of  which  it  may  be  justly  said,  to  borrow  the  language 
of  the  ancient  Roman,  '  They  think  as  they  please,  and 
speak  as  they  think.'  Such  an  assembly  has  ever  been 
the  dread  and  often  the  scourge  of  tyrants."- 

The  struggle  between  the  metropolis  of  New  England 
and  the  British  government  was  severe,  and  continued 
from  the  time  of  the  Stamp- Act,  in  1765,  till  the  evacua- 
tion' of  the  foreign  troops  in  1776.  Every  walk  of  in- 
dustrious life  and  every  profession,  the  bar,  the  pulpit 
and  the  press,  combined  to  give  intensity  and  efficiency 
to  the  civil  war:  As  an  indication  of  the  plainness  and 
power  of  the  latter,  the  following  anecdote  will  suffice. 
A  negro,  whose  principles  were  like  his  master's,  a  tool 
of  foreign  despotism,  one  day  met  Mr.  Edes,  the  printer 
of  the  Boston  Gazette,  which  was  the  devoted  organ  of 
the  patriots,  and  inquired  of  him  what  was  the  news. 
The  printer  replied  that  there  was  nothing  new..  "Well," 
said  the  sable  aristocrat,  "  if  you  Ve  nothing  new,  Massa 
Edes,  I  s'pose  you  print  the  same  old  lie  over  again." 

If  is.  important  to  remember,  that  in  all  the  excite- 
ments of  those  times  ;  the  vexations  that  arrested  com- 
merce ;  the  irritations  produced  by  the  presence  of  mer- 
cenary 4roops ;  the  menaces  of  arrogant  officers,  and 
even  the  massacre  of  several  citizens  in  open  day  ;  de- 
spite all  sorts  of  provocations  and  the  most  favorable 
opportunities  for  revenge,  during  the  whole  period  of  the 
Revolution  not  a  single  life  was  destroyed  by  the  Bos- 


FIELDS    OP    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOdUEXCE.  43 

tonians,  either  by  assassination,  mob  law,  or  public 
execution. 

In  the  meantime,  the  meeting  in  Faneuil  Hall  and 
other  large  public  edifices  were  spreading  the  most  salu- 
tary influence  over  the  country.  The  town-meetings 
and  provincial  assemblies  were  the  arenas  wherein  the 
people  were  trained  and  armed  intellectually  for  the 
great  battle  of  independence.  It  was  then  that  orators, 
fitted  expressly  for  that  preparatory  work,  like  Otis  and 
Henry,  appeared,  and  consummated  their  exalted  task. 
Driven  at  the  points  of  British  bayonets  from  Williams- 
burg,  the  noble  band  of  Virginia  patriots  were  still  loyal 
to  the  highest  duty.  The  Old  Dominion  continued  to 
respond  to  the  Bay  State  ;  the  "  Old  Church"  at  Rich- 
mond echoed  back  in  tones  of  thunder  the  patriotic  cries 
that  rang  from  Faneuil  Hall. 

Hallowed-  are  the  associations  connected  with  that 
venerable  church  in  Richmond  !  Often  has  the  writer 
sought  its  precincts  alone,  and  .pondered  there  on  the 
scene  when,  within  the  walls  yet  standing,  Henry,  as 
the  embodiment  of  the  Revolution  and  all  its  sublime 
results,  rose  like  one  inspired,  and  delivered  that  speech 
unequalled  in  the  history  of  man,  ending  with  the  omi- 
nous words,  "  Give  me  liberty,  or  give  me  death!"  It  was 
in  the  same  burst  of  transcendent  eloquence  that  the 
phrase,  "After  all,  we  must  fight  !"  first  broke  on  the 
popular  ear,  and  fired  the  universal  heart.  The  history 
of  that  expression  is  interesting,  as  showing  the  close 
relations  that  subsisted  between  the  north  and  south  in 
all  the  Revolutionary  struggle.  They  'are  the  expression 
of  a  quiet  Puritan  in  the  interior  of  Massachusetts,  given 


44  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

to  the  world  on  wings  of  fire  by  the  bold  Cavalier  of 
Virginia.  The  facts  are  stated  as  follows,  in  a  letter 
from  John  Adams  to  William%Vif  t : 

."When  Congress  had  finished  their  business,  as  they 
thought,  in  the  autumn  of  1774,  I  had  with  Mr.  Henry, 
before  we  took  leave  of  each  other,  some  familiar  con- 
versation, in  which  I  expressed  a  full  conviction  that 
our  resolves,  declarations  of  rights,  enumeration  of 
wrongs,  petitions,  remonstrances  and  addresses,  associa- 
tions and  non-importation  agreements,  however  they 
might  be  expected  in  America,  and  however  necessary 
to  cement  the  union  of  the  colonies,  would  be  but  waste 
paper  in  England.  Mr.  Henry  said  they  might  make 
some  impression  upon  the  people  of  England,  but  agreed 
with  me  that  they  would  be  totally  lost  upon  the  govern- 
ment. I  had  but  just  received  a  short  and  hasty  letter, 
written  to  me  by  Major  Joseph  Hawley,  of  Northamp- 
ton, containing  '  a  few  broken  hints,'  as  he  called  them, 
of  what  he  thought  was  proper  to  be  done,  and  conclud- 
ing with  those  words,  'After  all,  we  must  fight!'  This 
letter  I  read  to  Mr.  Henry,  who  listened  with  great  at- 
tention ;  and  as  soon  as  I  had  pronounced  the  words. 
'  After  all,  we  must  fight,'  he  raised  his  head,  and  with 
an  energy  and  vehemence  that  I  can  never  forget,  broke 
out  with  '  BY  GOD,  I  AM  OF  THAT  MAN'S  MIND  !'  I  put 
the  letter  into  his  hand,  and  when  he  had  read  it,  he  re- 
turned it  to  me,  with  .an  equally  solemn  asseveration 
that  he  agreed  entirely  in  opinion  with  the  writer.  I 
considered  this  hs  a  sacred  oath,  upon  a  very  great  oc- 
casion, (a#d  would  have  sworn  it  as  religiously  as  he 
did,)  and  by  no  means  inconsistent  with  what  you  say, 


FIELDS    OF 'EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOQUENCE.  45 

q0L 

m  some  part  of  your  book,  that  he  never  took  the  sacred 
name  in  vain. 

"  As  I  knew  the  sentiments  with  which  Mr.  Henry  left 
Congress  in  the  autumn  of  1774,  and  knew  the  chapter 
and  verse  from  which  he  had  borrowed  the  sublime  ex- 
pression, '  We  must  fight,'  I  was  not  at  all  surprised  at 
your  history,  in  the  hundred  and  twenty-second  page  in 
the  note,  and  in  some  of  the  preceding  and  following 
pages.  Mr.  Henry  only  pursued,  in  March,  1775,  the 
views  and  vows  of  November,  1774. 

"  The  other  delegates  from  Virginia  returned  to  their 
State,  in  full  confidence  that  all  our  grievances  would 
be  redressed.  The  last  words  that  Mr.  Richard  Henry 
Lee  said  to '  me  when  we  parted,  were  :  '  We  shall  in- 
fallibly carry  all  our  points  ;  you  will  be  completely  re- 
lieved; all  the  offensive  Acts  will  be  repealed;  the  army 
and  fleet  will  be  recalled,  and  Britain  will  give  up  her 
foolish  project.' 

"  Washington  only  was  in  doubt.  He  never  spoke  in 
public.  In  private  he  joined  with  those  who  advocated 
a  non-exportation,  as  well  as  a  non-importation  agree- 
ment. With  both  he  thought  we  should  prevail ;  with- 
out either  he  thought  it  doubtful.  Henry  was  clear  in 
one  opinion,  Richard  Henry  Lee  in  an  opposite  opinion, 
and  Washington  doubted  between  the  two.  Henry, 
however,  appeared  in  the  end  to  be  exactly  in  the  right." 

It  is  evident  that  John  Adams  and  Patrick  Henry 
parted  on  the  above  occasion  wit'h  a  perfect  identity  of 
sentiment,  and  returned  to  their  respective  colonies  -to 
urge  on  the  crisis  which  they  saw  was  inevitable.  Henry 
acquitted  himself  of  his  duty  at  Richmond,  as  has  been 


46  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

already  described.  Adams  rejoined  his  distinguished 
colleagues  in  the  popular  movements  in  Faneuil  Hall. 
To  describe  the  immediate  and  remote  consequences  of 
those  movements,  we  cannot  do  better  than  by  employ- 
ing the  following  extract  from  Daniel  Webster :  "  No 
where  can  be  found  higher  proofs  of  a  spirit  that  was 
ready  to  hazard  all,  to  pledge  all,  to  sacrifice  all,  in  the 
•cause,  of  the  country.  Instances  were  not  unfrequent 
in  which  sjnall  free-holders  parted  with  their  last  hoof 
and  the  last  measure  of  corn  from  their  granaries,  to 
supply  provision  for  the  troops  and  hire  service  for  the 
ranks.  The  voice  of  O'tis  and  of  Adams  in  Faneuil 
Hall  found  its  full  and  true  echo  in  the  little  councils  of 
the -interior  towns  ;  and  if  within  the  Continental  Con- 
gress patriotism  ehone  more  conspicuously,  it  did  not 
there  exist  more  truly,  nor  burn  more  fervently  ;  it  did 
not  render  the  day  more  anxious  or  the  night  more  sleep- 
less ;  it  sent  up  no  more  ardent  prayer  to  God  for  succor, 
and  it  put  forth  in  no  greater  degree  the  fullness  of  its 
effort  and  the  energy  of  its  whole  soul  and  spirit  in  the 
common  cause,  than  it  did  in  the  small  assemblies  of  the 
towns." 

Those  primary  meetings,  we  remark  again,  which  soon 
began  to  prevail  throughout  the  country,  served  to  en- 
lighten all  classes,  and  became  the  firmest  cement  to 
bind  them  together,  when  a  comprehensive  and  com- 
bined effort  was  demanded.  The  source  and  model 
of  those  assemblies  was  in  the  ""Cradle  of  Liberty," 
happily  yet  extant.  Long  may  it  remain  one. of  the 
most  hallowed  spots  on  the  globe.  What  men  have 
there  spoken,  and  what  events  have  therein  tran- 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOQUENCE.  47 

spired  !  What  American  can  ever  ascend  to  that  Forum 
without  standing  enthralled  by  the  intensity  of  thrilling- 
associations:  Here,  as  in  the  famous  area  where  the 
masters  of  the  world  were  wont  of  old  to  address  the 
Roman  people,  tH£  applause  of  ven'erated  patriots  min- 
gled with  fhe  tones  of  kindred  orators,  cheered  and  for- 
tified them  in  the  exposure  of  crime,  the  vindication  of 
justice,  and  the  defence  of  freedom.  Here,  too,  as  there 
are  palpable  reminiscences  of  the  heroic  past.  Every 
foot  6f  the  Forum  at  Rome  was  hallowed  by  the  memory 
of  some  great  domestic  Or  national  event.  Columns  and 
arches  and  temples  testified  on  all  sides  the  devotion  of 
individuals  and  the  triumphs  of  the  republic.  Standing 
in  Faneuil  Hall,  one  sees  not  only  the  colonnades,  the 
galleries,  the  floor  and  the  ceiling  of  the  vast  gathering- 
place  of  early  patriots,  the  battle-field  of  consummate  elo- 
quence, but  there,  too,  are  the  artistic  forms  of  some  who 
mingled  in  the  sternest  strife  of  our  country's  darkest 
days.  Would  that  the  walls  were  all  granite,  and  the 
roof  iron,  firm  and  enduring  as  the  souls  whose  memo- 
ries are  for  ever  linked  with  the  locality,  and  that,  from 
niches  all  round  this  theatre 'of  most  gloriotfs  deeds,  the 
marble  forms  of  all  the  chief  actors  might  look  down 
upon  interminable  generations  of  American  freemen. 

We  come,  finally,  to  consider  the  most  glorious  battle- 
field of  all ;  the  Congress  of  '76.  Everything  has  been 
prepared  for  the  grand  and  decisive  blow.  Providence 
summons  the  whole  country  to  a  general  council  in  Phi- 
ladelphia, and  the  choicest  spirits  of  every  section  are 
prompt  to  obey.  What  were  the  thoughts -that  accom- 
panied those  patriots,  as  they  turned  their  backs  upon 


48  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

every  thing  dear  around  home's  hearth,  and  set-their  faces 
toward  a  common  altar,  journeying  up  thither  with  the 
determination  to  consecrate  everything  ro  the  public 
weal?  It  is  certain  that  they  were  capable  of  properly 
appreciating  the  perils  that  encompassed  them,  as  well 
as  the  benefits  which  might  flow  from  the  efforts  they 
designed  to  make.  Never  was  there  a  popular  assembly 
of  politicians  that  comprised  a  greater  proportion  of 
highly  educated  members.  Nearly  one-half  were  gra- 
duates of  colleges  at  home  or  abroad.  Some  were  self- 
educated^  in  the  best  school,  and  to  the  highest  degree. 
The  ancient  poets  taught  'that  Astraea,  the  goddess  of 
Justice,  had  her  last  residence  among  unsophisticated 
husbandmen  before  she  quitted  the  earth.  The  Genius 
of  Liberty  found  a  rural  home  in  our  land  ere  she  was 
throned  by  general  acclamation  at  Carpenter's  Hall,  in 
the  central  colony  of  America.  Twenty-five  of  the 
fifty-six  im-mortal  men  had  trod  the  soil  and  studied  in 
the  institutions  of  Great  Britain.  Among  those  who 
had  not  received  university  laurels,  were  philosophers 
like  Franklin  and  jurists  like  Roger  Sherma-n. 

In  this  connection,  we 'should  not  forget  the  stripling 
surveyor,  born  xm  the- banks  .of  the  Potomac,  beneath  a 
farmer's  roof,  and  early  left  an  orphan.  No  academy 
aided  his  youthful  aspirations,  no  college  crowned  him 
wit-h  its  honors.  But  industry  and  integrity  pro- 
vided for  the  best  education  of  his  great  natural  powers. 
"  Himself  his  own  cook,  having  no  spit  but  a  forked  stick, 
no  plate  but  a  large  chip,"  at  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  is 
found  roaming  over  the  Alleghanies  and  along  the  She- 
nandoah,  training  himself  under  the  eye  of  Heaven,  one 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOdUENCE.  40 

day  to  be  the  hope  and  leader  of  a  nation  iji  arms.    Most 

truly  might  he  have  said : 

• 
"  To  rear  me  was  the  task  of  power  divine, 

Supremest  wisdom  and  primeval  love." 

•  • 

In  the  language  of  Sparks,  "  Happy  was  it  for  America, 
happy  for  the  worl<jT  that  a  great  name,  a  guardian  ge- 
nius, presided  over  destinies  in  war,  combining  more 
than  the  virtues  of  the  Roman  Fabius,  and  the  Theban 
Epaminondas,  and  compared  with  whom,  the  conquer- 
ors of  the  world,  the  Alexanders  and  Caesars,  are  but 
pageants  crimsoned  with  blood  and  decked  with  the  tro- 
phies of  slaughter,  objects  equally  of  the  wonder  and  the 
execration  of  mankind.  The  hero  of  America  was  the 
conqueror  only  of  his  country's  foes,  and  the  hearts  of 
his  countrymen.  To  the  one  he  was  a  terror,  and  in 
the  other  he  gained  an  ascendancy,  supreme,  unrivalled, 
the  tribute  of  admiring  gratitude,  the  reward  of  a  nation's 
love— our  WASHINGTON  !"  * 

The  congress  of  '76  has  assembled,  and  solemn  prayer 
has  just  been  offered  for  the  divine  blessing  on  the  coun- 
try and  in  behalf  of  the  patriotic  cause.  Let  us  enter 
the  hall  and  contemplate  -the  august  assemblage.  The 
first  thing  that  strikes  us  is,,  the  wonderful  diversity  of 
character  present,  constituting  a  perfect  whtele.  The 
quality  that  is  deficient  in  one,  in  another  superabounds ; 
where  one  is  wise  to  construct  a  theory,  another  is 
equally  skilful  to  demonstrate  its  practicability.  Whe- 
ther we  desire  severe  logical  deduction,  or  gorgeous  rhe- 
torical expression ;  whether  it  be  necessary  to  convince 

the  judgment  or  inflame  the  passions ;  no  model*  can  in 
3 


50  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

the   world  be   found   superior   to   those   here   congre- 
gated. 

In  the  President's  chair  sits  Hancock,  crowned  with 
a  demeanor  graceful  and  splendid,  like  "  blazing  Hype- 
rion on  his  orbed'throne."  Promine«t  in  the  heroic  band, 
and  oldest  of  their  number,  is  he  who  at  the*  same  time 
snatched  the  lightnings  from  the  slvjes  and  the  sceptre 
from  the  oppressor's  hand.  There,  too,  is  Morris,  the 
financier  of  the  Revolution,  whose  generous  aid,  ad- 
vanced on  his  own  credit,  paved  the  way  for  the  victo- 
ries- at  Trenton  and  Princeton,  and  in  the  gloomiest  hour 
caused  the  American  -eagle  to  soar  aloft  toward  Heaven. 
More  retired,  but  not  less  interested,  is  that  old  Pu- 
ritan, Samuel  Adams,  "on  his  front,  engraven  thought 
and  public  care."  He  was  among  the  very  first  to  excite 
popular  rebellion  against  wrong,  and  he  is  here  to  aid  its 
progress  and-  pay  for  its  consummation.  Of  few  words, 
but  abounding  in  great  and  beneficent  deeds,  he  sits  in 
council  grave  and  taciturn,  like  "gray -haired  Saturn 
quiet  as  a  stone,"  his  soul  firm  as  granite  and  unbending 
before  the  storm.  His  more  oratorical  namesake,  John 
Adams,  with  watchful'  eye  and  ear  is  scanning  the  pro- 
ceedings ;  while  every  look  and  motion  betrays  his  readi- 
ness to  exemplify  his  favorite  maxim,  "1, would  rather  be 
in  the  wrong  with  Plato  than  in  the  right  with  Epicuuus." 
Lee,  with  inimitable  suavity  and  elaborate  grace,  moves 
in  chivalrous  majesty  on  the  scene.  Witherspoon,  the 
divine,  "  visibly  written  blessed  in  his  looks,"  is  there, 
with  the  meekness  of  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  but 
with  a  firmness  that  never  quailed  in  the  presence  of  his 
country's  foe.  In  the  alternative  between  the  sacrifice 


tlELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOdUENCE.  51 

of  freedom  or  the  loss  of  life,  like  the  Spartan  mother, 
he  would  rather  have  seen  his  son  brought  home  a  corpse 
upon  his  shield,  than  dishonored  by  its  loss.  And  Rut- 
ledge,  the  youngest  of  the  patriots,  comes  forward  to  illus- 
trate in  his  own  person  the  ancient  apologue  of  the 
youthful  Hercules,  in  the  pride  and  strength  of  beatity, 
surrendering  his  entire  soul  to  the  worship  of  exalted 
virtue.  But  it  is  needless  any  further  to  specify ;  all,  as 
one  man,  are  ready  to  exclaim,  our  mother  is  America, 
our  battle  is  for  freedom,  purity  of  purpose  is  our  breast- 
plate, and  the  favor  of  Heaven  is  our  shield. 

IH  the  momentous  proceedings  of  July  4th,  1776,  we 
miss  the  persons  of  "several  of  the  most  famous  men 
in  our  colonial  and  revolutionary  history.  Their  ab- 
sence strikingly  indicates  the  care  of  Providence  in  all 
great  events^  Bold  and  daring  patriots,  with  the  most 
intrepid  zeal,  had  long  since  roused  the  colonies  and 
stung  them  into  indignation  against  tyrannic  wrongs. 
Those  pioneers  of  national  prosperity  had  urged  on  the 
fearful  crisis,  and  at  length  the  period  had  arrived  when 
everything  was  at  stake.  But  when  counsel  was  needed 
most,  and  the  action  of  sublime  statesmanship  com- 
menced, the  men  of  passion  declined,  their  mission 
being  gloriously  fulfilled.  He  who  rules  over  all  with- 
drew them  from  the  scene.-  Otis,  disabled  by  a  brutal 
attack  made  on  him  by  a  British  emissary,  lay  secluded 
from  public  life'.  Henry  was  indeed  sent  up  to  Con- 
gress, with  one  effort  of  almost  divine  eloquence  to 
break  the  spell  that  at  first  bound  the  assembly  in  awful 
silence ;  then  he  withdrew,  and  was  little  heard  of  more. 
The  successors  of  these  primitive  patriots  were  not  less 


* 

52  ORATORS    OT    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

resolute,  but  more  discreet.  A  consciousness-  of  the 
fearful  responsibility  devolved  upon  them  "by  their  posi- 
tion,  seems  to  have  rendered  them  solemnly  reflective 
and  sublimely  self-possessed.  To  describe  their  elo- 
"quence  will  be  the  purpose  of  subsequent  chapters  ;  at 
present,  we  will  look  only  at  one  grand  event  and  its 
associations — the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

One  whom  we  have  not  yet  named,  but  in  some  re- 
spects the  most '  renowned  of  men,  Jefferson,  appears 
before  Congress,  bearing  in  his  hand  that  noblest  of  all 
documents  not  the  result  of  inspired  wisdom.  "  Whether 
we  regard  it  as  a  specimen  of  strong  and -fervid  eloquence, 
of  manly  remonstrance,  or  of  demand  solemn  appeal,  it 
is  every  way  sustained  and.  wonderful.  The  writer 
speaks  as  if  he  felt  himself  to  be  the  voice  of  a  great  and 
outraged  people,  giving  indignant  utterance  to  its  many 
wrongs  and  oppressions,  and  in  face  of  Heaven,  and  the 
whole  earth  for  witnesses,  declaring  that  they  shall  be 
endured  no  longer." 

The  question  was  on  the»adoptio*n  of  the  Declaration. 
We  should  consider  the  character  of  that  document,  and 
the  circumstances  under  which  it  was  reported.  It  has 
been  called  the  Chart  of  American  Freedom;  but  it  was 
vastly  more  elevated  than  the  famous  Magna  Charta 
wrung  from  King  John  at  Runnymede.  There  is  some 
resemblance  in  the  original  of  the  two  documents,  but 
their  spirit  is  very  little  alike.  John  Lackland,  as  he 
was  called,  levied  heavy  contributions  on  the  barons, 
and  seized-  at  his  pleasure  their  beasts  of  burden  and 
agricultural  implements.  This  touched  the  selfish  in- 
terests of  the  owners  of  the  serfs  and  soil.  It  is  a  singu- 


JFfELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOCUJENCE.  53 

larfact  that  ihe  great  instrument  of  English  freedom  had 
no  nobler  origin  than  this.  'It  seems  still  more  strange 
that  one  Article  of  that  great  charter  forbids  the  destruc- 
tion of  houses,  woods,  or  men.  Without  the  special  per- 
mission of  the  proprietor,  who  had  full  power  over  the 
life  of  Englishmen.  The  haughty  slave-holding  barons 
who  extorted  Magna  Charta  from  King  John,  did  not  in 
the  least  consult  the  welfare  of  the  plebeian  orders. 
Nullus  liber  homo,  is  its  cfomineering  phraseology.  The 
vassals  who  were  chained  to  the  soil,  were  left  just  where 
Magna  Charta  found  them.  No  mistake  can  be  greater 
than  to  suppose  that  the  war  of  the  barons  against  the 
infamous  king  was  waged  for  the  benefit  of  the  great 
mass  of  the  people,  or  that  the  treaty  of  Runnymede  se- 
cured their  liberties.  Certain  great  privileges  were 
exacted,  it  is  true,  but  the  end  designed  was  far  aside 
from  popular  freedom. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  first  sentence  in  the  American 
Chart  of '76  recognizes  the  equality  of  mankind,  and  the 
Declaration  proceeds  •  to  demand  the  highest  privileges 
for  all.  The  conflicts  in  which  our  fathers  signalized 
their  courage  and  their  strength  were  in  the  defence  of 
exalted  principles,  and  the  resources  they  chiefly  relied 
on  were  moral.  They  did  not  desire  to  arm  themselves 
in  the  spirit  of  those 

"  Whose  game  was  empires,  and  whose  stakes  were  thrones^ 
Whose  table  earth ;  whose  dice  were  human  bones." 

The  circumstances  under  which  that  Declaration  was 
reported  and  discussed  were  of  the  most  impressive 
character.  A  proposition  was  brought  forward  in  favor 


54  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

of  separating.the  colonies  from  the  parent  country.  The 
grand  question  then  agitated  was  between  power  and 
right.  The  orators  seemed  to  feel  and  speak  as  if  they 
clearly  saw  that  hi  th'e  'decision  then  to  be  made  lay  the 
liberties  of  three  millio^  of  colonists,  as  well  as  the 
hopes  of  all  the  civilized  nations  that  should  thenceforth 
people  the  earth.  The  depositeries  of  the  immediate 
and  prospective  rights  of  manl^pd  were  not  unfaithful  to 
their  trust.  They  seceded  from  their  age  and  elevated 
themselves  above  it.  They  emerged  from  the  dubious 
atmosphere  of  ordinary  views,  and  stood  in  calm  gran- 
deur on  the  serenest  heights  of  political  prophecy. 
They  assembled  around  the  sacred  shrine  of  liberty,  and 
under  the  influence  of  the  loftiest  inspiration,  consulted 
the  eternal  wants  of  man,  and  legislated  for  all  coming 
time.  Napoleon  said  to  his  staff  as  they  entered  the 
battle  of  the  Pyramids,  "  Think  that  forty  centuries 
look  down  upon  you  from  the  summits'  of  yonder 
monuments." 

But  our  patriotic  sires  took  a  more  comprehensive 
view,  from  a  higher  point,  and  under  convictions  of  a 
more  solemn  cast.  With  a  full  consciousness  of  the 
perils  they  incurred,  they  voted  for  the  Declaration. 

A  classic  poet  has  described  Heaven  itself  as  survey- 
ing with  pleasure  the  scene  of  "  a  brave  man  struggling 
with  the  storms  of  fate."  If  this  is  allowable,  we  think 
a  much  sublimer  spectacle  is  presented  by  a  brave  na- 
tion struggling  for  freedom  and  independence,  especially 
when  the  odds  are  so  great  as  in  the  instance  under 
consideration ;  a  few  feeble  colonies  on  one  side,  numer- 
ous disciplined  troops,  veteran  skill,  and  all  the  vast 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOdUENCE.  55 

resources  of  despdtfc  power  on  the  other.  But  the 
question  was  not  what  is  safety  to  ourselves,  but  what 
is  duty  iff  our  constituents,  our  successors,  the  world. 
Each  man  of  them  seems  tft  ha,ve"*set  his  name  to  that 
immortal  pledge  with  the  feeM^^s  with  which  Leonidas, 
in  view  of  inevitable  and  speedy  immolation  on  the  altar 
of  his  country,  exclaimed : 

"  But  ye  rocks  of  Thermopylae,  free  mountains  and 
happy  plains,  ye  will  remain !" 

The  Congress  of  '76  was  a  more  than  Amphictyonic 
council,,  in  the  intelligence  and  devotion  of  which  one 
might  safely  predict  the  perpetuity  of  national  strength 
at  home  and  increasing  influence  abroad.  Profound 
and  impassionate  consecration  possessed  every  breast, 
united  the  Congress  in  one  purpose,  and  electrified  the 
whole  continent.  Every  faculty  of  the  human  soul  was 
summoned  to  the  highest  duty,  and  braced  up  .to  the 
most  intense  exertion.  The  light  then  kindled  in  Inde- 
pendence Hall  seemed  to  be  immediately  reflected  back 
from  every  cottage  in  America,  and  at  every  moment 
since  has  gone  on  spreading  wider  and  brighter  over 
prison  and  palace  round  the  globe. 

The  pen  with  which  Hhe  several  signatures  were  made 
on  the  Declaration  of  Independence  is  now  in  the  cabi- 
net of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  together 
with  a  sealed  vial  full  of  tea,  caught  in  the  shoes  of  one 
of  the  "Mohawks"  who  destroyed  the  obnoxious  cargoes 
in  Boston  harbor.  What  American  can  look  upon 
those. memorials  without  emotions  of  the  purest  and  most 
thrilling  ^gratitude? 

Those  patriots  ha.ve  all  passed  away,  each  one  deserv- 


56  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

ing  the  encomium  of  Pericles,  -'  No  citizen  through  their 
means  ever  put  on  mourning :" 

"  They  were  below,  ere  they  arrived  in  heaven, 
So  mighty  in  renown,  as  every  muse 
Might  grace  her  triumph  with  them." 

The  brightest  thing  about  the  Congress  of  '76  was  the 
integrity  which  its  members  pledged  in  behalf  of  their 
common  country.  Their  lives  were  dear  to  them,  their 
fortunes  were  ample,  but  their  sacred  honor  was  their 
choicest  wealth  and  greatest  glory.  They  encountered 
hardships  of  the  most  fearful  magnitude,  and  temptations 
of  the  greatest  power,  but  not  one  of  them  hesitated  a 
moment  in  his  allegiance  to  duty,  or  swerved  in  the 
slightest  degree  from  the  discharge  of  it.  They  were 
not  only  all  true  to  their  solemn  vows,  but  not  a  single 
stain  ever  soiled  the  escutcheon  of  one  of  them.  They 
were  republicans  to  the  last. '  The  noble  sentiments 
proclaimed  to  the  world  on  July  4th,  1776,  their  authors 
never  belied.  As  a 'class,  they  were  remarkably  frugal 
and  temperate,  and  nearly  all  of  them  lived  to  extreme 
old  age.  For  intelligence,  patriotism,  purity  of  life  and 
loyalty  to  country,  the  history  of  the  world  at  large  has 
nothing  to  compare  with  the  names  of  the  immortal 
fifty -six. 

If  other  battle-fields  are  interesting  in  their  associa- 
tions, what  shall  we  shall  say  of  that  glory  of  Philadel- 
phia, Independence*  Hall?  "If  there  be  a  spot  upon 
earth,"  says  Doctor  Clarke,  "pre-eminently  calculated 
to  awaken  the  solemn  sentiments,  which  such  a  view  of 
nature  is  fitted  to  make  upon  all  men,  it  may  surely  be 


flELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOdUENCE.  57 

found  in  the  plain  of  Marathon;  where,  amidst  the 
wreck  of  generations,  and  the  graves  of  ancient  ^ejoes, 
we  elevate  our  thoughts  towards  Him,  'in  whose  sight  a 
thousand  years  are  but  as  yesterday ;'  where  the  still- 
ness of  Nature;  harmonizing  with  the  calm  solitude  of 
that  illustrious  region,  which  once  was  the  scejie  of  the 
most  agitated  passions,  enables  us,  by  the  past,  to  deter- 
mine of  the  future.  In  those  moments,  indeed,  we  may 
be  said  to  live  for  ages ;  a  single  instant,  by  the  multitude 
of  impressions  it  conveys,  seems  to  anticipate  for  us  a 
sense  of  that  eternity  !  when  time  shall  be  no  more ;' 
when  the  fitful  dream  of  human  existence,  .with  all  its 
turbulent  illusions,  shall  be  dispelled ;  and  the  last  sun 
having  set,  in  the  last  of  the  world,  a  brighter  dawn  than 
ever  gladdened  the  universe,  shall  renovate  the  domin- 
ions of  darkness  and  of  death." 

But  to  the  free  citizens  of  this  continent,  the  power  of 
local  associations  is  more  powerful  in  the  precincts  of 
Independence  Hall  than  on  the  plains  of  Marathon. 
Collisions  with  a  mightier  foe,  and  deeds  of  "daring  put 
forth  for  richer  conquests,  took  place  there,  than  when 
heroic  Greeks  grappled  with  the  Persian  host.  What 
history,  what  picture,  could  ever  tell  the  half  of  what  is 
suggested  to  every  intelligent  and  susceptible  mind  on 
entering  that  venerable  hall  ?  Who  is  not  immediately 
carried  back  to  that  day,  thenceforth  memorable  for  ever, 
when  an  awful  stillness  pervaded  the  assembly  for  several 
moments  previous  to  voting  "  that  these  United  Colonies 
are  and  of  right  out  to  be,  free  and  independent  states  ?" 
What  devotion  then  filled  that  consecrated  place,  and 

rose  to  heaven  in  silent  prayer  for  firmness,  unanimity 
3 


58  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

• 

and  deathless  resolve !  One  almost  hears  Hancock  sug- 
gesting to  Franklin,  "We  must  all  hang  together  now." 
"Yes,"  is  the  characteristic  response  of  that  plain  old 
Nestor  of  patriots,  "  we  must  indeed  all  hang  together, 
or  most  assuredly  we  shall  all  hang  separately." 

Perhaps  the  only  edifice  in-  the  world  invested  with 
associations  at  all  comparable  with  this,  was  the  old 
Parliament  House  in  Westminster.  It  was  there  .that 
the  Commons,  in  their  feebleness,  sent  for  the  prelates 
to  aid  their  consultations.  Afterward,  when  the  days 
of  "  the  usurping  blood  of  Lancaster"  were  past,  and  the 
power  of  the  Tudors  and  the  Stuarts  were  trophies  in 
their  hands,  the  same  "poor  Commons"  abrogated  the 
arrogant  rights  of  the  peerage,  and  destroyed  the  very 
prelacy  for  whose  counsel  they  had  once  sued.  There 
Charles  had  come  to  seize  the  obnoxious  members; 
and  in  the  Chamber  adjoining  the  Commons,  (Stafford 
and  Laud /had  pleaded.  There,  in  1653,  Cromwell 
entered,  dismissed  the  attendants,  locked  the  doors,  and 
made  himself,  as  Protector,  the  council  of  a  nation  upon 
whose  council  chamber  was  seen  inscribed,  "  This  house 
to  let,  unfurnished."  That  room,  the  cradle  of  English 
freedom,  had  witnessed  the  consummation  of  govern- 
mental power,  and  its  greatest  possible  restrictions 
within  regal  limits.  From  1688  to  its  destruction  it 
had  been  the  arena  of  the  greatest  eloquence  and  most 
impressive  scenes.  There,  Shaftsbury  and  Bolingbroke 
had  spoken  ;  there  from  1740,  the  contentions  of  suc- 
cessive parties,  animated  and  adorned  by  the  speeches 
of  \Walpole,  Windham,  Pulteney,  Chatham,  Burke,^  Pitl»- 
Fox,  and  ^Sheridan,)  had  been  fought  with  a  passionate 


FIELDS    OF    EARLY    AMERICAN    ELOQUENCE.  59 

strength  of  intellect,  and  the  mighty  excitement  pro- 
duced by  the  conflict  of  gigantic  minds.  When  that 
ancient  palace  of  legislation  was  consumed,  it  was 
indeed  a  mournful  sight.  To  all  the  English  nation, 
and  their  colonies  in  every  clime,  a  link  in  the  chain  of 
historic  interest  and  thrilling  associations  was  destroyed. 
A  splendid  new  palace  for  Parliament  is  now  rising  on 
the  same  site.  In  accordance  with  the  laws  of  mind, 
and  with  a  wise  respect  for  the  distinguished  dead,  the 
commissioners  of  the  realm  have  recently  reported  in 
respect  thereto  that,  "as  St.  Stephen's  Hall  stands  on 
the-  spot  where  the  House  of  Commons  was,  during 
many  centuries,  in  the  habit  of  assembling,  it  should  be 
adorned  with  statues  of  men  who  rose  to  eminence  by 
the  eloquence  and- .abilities  which  they  displayed  in  that 
house."  „ 

But  the  great  battle-field  whereon  our  fathers  met  that 
Parliament  in  its  most  august  display  of  oratorical  talent, 
braved  that  great  kingdom  with  all  its  consolidated 
strength,. and  won  the  day  under  the  most  fearful  odds, 
yet  remains.  The  heroes  indeed  are  departed,  but  here 
before  us  is  still  open  their  scene  of  action.  Death  has 
claimed  them,  but  war  and  wasting  elements  have  spared 
the  theatre  of  their  stupendous  struggle.  We  can  go 
and  meditate  there,  gazing  at  the  places  where  they  sat, 
the  floor  on  which  they  stood,  the  windows  through 
which  the  bright  sun  looked  in  smilingly  upon  their  sub- 
lime transactions,  and  may  touch  the  walls  which  seem 
yet  to  vibrate  to  the  thunders  of  their  eloquence. 

Long  may  those  walls  remain,  the  Mecca  of  a  worship 
holier  than  the  Saracen's;  and  when  they  shall  have 


60  OBATO*S    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

passed  away,  may  the  genius  of  American  Art,  harmoni- 
ous with  the  Genius  of  Liberty,  her  best  patron,  and 
commemorative  of  her  grandest  work,  here  come,  and  in 
a  worthy  master-piece  heave  up  a  monument  which  shall 
perish  only 

*~  * 

"  When  wrapped  in  fire  the  realms  of  ether  glow, 

And  heaven's  last  thunders  shake  the  world  below.". 

Yes,  theinen  of  the  Congress  of  -76  have  passed  away, 
but  let  us  hope  that  the  spirit  they  evoked,  and  which 
guided  them  to  victory,  is  not  yet  become  obsolete. 
Their  laurels  freshen  in  eternal  bloom  on  their  sepulchres, 
and  their  posthumous  influence  is  busy  everywhere  dis- 
enthralling the  wprid.  -  May  the  flame  kindled  on .  the 
national  altar  in  the  first  true  Hall  of  Freedom,  to  illu- 
minate and  consecrate  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
in  America,  burn  with  inextinguishable  splendor,  quicken" 
every  tardy  pulse  with  patriotic  zeal,  aod  blast  to  cin- 
ders every  fetter  and  every  .tyrant's  accursed  throne ! 


CHAPTER    II. 

•      •• 

JAMES  OTIS, 

ORATOR   OF    INTREPID   PASSION. 

THS  planting  of  English  colonies  in  America  was  the 
beginning  of  an  influence  which  stopped  not  at  their 
original  boundaries.  The  world  has  witnessed  its  ex- 
pansion. The  human  race  has  felt  ks  power.  To  the 
world  then — to  the  human  race — ^belongs  their  influence, 
and  in  that  their  greatest  glory. 

We  are  becoming  a  great  nation,  and  already,  per- 
haps, ace  accustomed  to  contemplate  the  Colonial  period 
of  our  history  as  a  juvenile  era.  But,  in  one  sense,  we 
have  had  no  national  infancy.  We  have  had  no  age  of 
barbarism,  no -gradual  transition  from  an  obscure  anti- 
quity, with  much  primitive  degradation  adhering  to  our 
career.  America,  visited  by  the  Anglo-Saxon  race,  like 
the  statue  of  j Prometheus)  touched  by  heavenly  fire, 
awoke  .in  adult  vigor.  Her  first  qry  was  for  freedom, 
and  her  first  struggle  won-  it.  We  began  with  the  expe- 
rience of  sixty  centuries:  We  laid  our  foundations  in 
the  results  which  accdnipanied  and  glorified  the'opening 
drama  of  a  nevv  world — the  sternest  battle  ever  fought 
by  right  against  power. 

About  the  period  of  the  first  settlement  of  this  coun- 


62  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERIQAN    REVOLUTION. 

try,  the  mental  productions  before  the  public  in  England, 
were  of  the  highest  excellence.  The  discussion  of  con- 
stitutional principles,  and  the  fervid  strife  for  toleration 
in  religious  matters,  had  called  forth  the  most  potent  in- 
tellectual energies,  and  produced  some  of  the  profound- 
est  works  in  divinity  and  politics,  to  be  found  in  any 
age  or  tongue.  As  in  the.  ancient  republics,  and  as  is 
the  fact  in  every  land  where  the  "mind  of  man  is  allowed 
freely  to  act  and  speak,  the  most  eloquent  writers  and 
profoundest  orators  were  on  the  side  of  liberty  and  the 
rights  of  the  people.  As  instances  and- proofs  of  this, 
.put  Locke  and  Algernon  Sidney  by  the  side  of  Fikner 
and  the  other  parasitical  advocates  of  the  divine  right 
of  kings.  It  is  a  wholesome  lesson  and  a  vigorous  dis- 
cipline, to  read  the  leading  authors  of  England  who 
flourished  between  the  accession  of  Charles  the  First 
and  George  of  Hanover. 

The  germs  of  great  principles  began  to  spring  up 
abroad,  but  their  first  productive  growth  was  in  Ameri- 
can soil.  A  great  truth  \vas  first  proclaimed  by  our  hardy 
Colonists,  which  has  since  traversed  oceans,  and  aroused 
continents.  It  is  impossible  to  exaggerate  its  ultimate  ef- 
fects, not  merely  upon  this  western  hemisphere,  but  upon 
the  father-land  and  the  remotest  east.  The  first  throbs 
of  liberty  here  created  the  tremendous  revolutions  of 
Europe,  the  convulsive  spasms  of  which  still  agitate  the 
oppressed  of  all  lands.  The  experiment  wnich  demon- 
strated the  practicability  of  establishing  a  self-governing 
republic  over  a  vast  domain,  is  an  example  which  it  will 
be  impossible  for  aristocracies,  kings,  and  emperors, 
either  to  resist  or  restrain. 


JAMES    OTIS.  63 

It  was  an  era  of  vast  energy,  a  combination  of  phy- 
sical force  and  profound  erudition,  exemplified  by  the 
French  in  the  prodigies  which  they  executed  while  truly 
inspired  by  the  genius  of  4iberty.  A  little  army,  com- 
posed of  soldiers  and* scholars,  subdued  cities  and  pene- 
trated citadels,  planted  institutes  and  observatories, 
schools  of  agriculture,  and  all  the  arts  of  civilization, 
from  the  valley  of  the  Rhine  to  the  Delta  of  Egypt. 

But  in  the  birth-place  of  that"  spirit,  on  the  sublimer 
field  of  its  primitive  conflict  and  most  glorious  conquest, 
in  the  American  colonies,  the  main  force  was  mental 
rather  than  martial.  Eloquence,  then,  was  fervid,  bold, 
and  gigantic,  like  the  Revolution  it  defended.  Then, 
genius  was  hailed  as  a  divine  gift.  No  trammels  were 
imposed  upon  imagination — no  drag-chains  crippled  pa- 
triotic aspirations — no  limit  marked  the  boundaries  up 
to  which  daring  thought  might  go. 

It  should  be  neither  uninteresting  nor  unprofitable  to 
glance  back  upon  those  times,  and  Contemplate'  a  few  of 
the  leading  minds.  In  a  sense  equally  elevated,  and 
more  relevant  to  ourselves  than  Milton  expressed;  let  us — 

"  To  the  famous  orators  repair, 
Those  ancients,  whose  resistless  eloquence 
Wielded  at  will  that  fierce  democracy, 
Shook  the  arsenal,  and  fulmined  over  Greece 
ToJMacedon  and  Artaxerxes1 'throne." 

In  considering  the  eloquence  of  the  Colonial  and  Re- 
volutionary period  of  our  history,  we  shall  find  less  va- 
riety in  the  works  of  the  orators  than  in  the  orators 
themselves.  So  absorbed  were  the  statesmen  of  those 


64  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

days  in  the  immediate  and  pressing  avocations  of  the 
crisis,  that  they  bestowed  little  or  no  strength  on  tasks 
not  imperiously  exacted  by  great  public  duties.  But  we 
shall  find  such  men  as  Otis,  and  Adams,  and  Henry,  and 
Hamilton,  and  Ames,  fine  embodiments  of  our  early 
eloquence.  They  were  among  the  great  and  gifted 
spirits  of  the  heroic  age  of  American  Oratory,  and  will 
for  ever  illustrate  the  grandeur  of  its  mental  grasp,  the 
wealth  of  its  magnificence,  and  the  splendor  of  its  im- 
perishable glories. 

The  Otis  family,  now  widely  extended  in  this  country 
and  a  good  deal  distinguished,  derived  their  origin  from 
John  Otis,  who  came  over  from  England  at  a  very  early 
period,  and  was  one  of  the  first  set  tiers- of  Hingham,  Mass. 
He  took  the  freeman's  oath  on  the  3d  of  March,  1635. 
By  his  mother's  side,  he  was  connected  with  the  first 
founders  of  Plymouth  Colony,  who  arrived  in  the  May- 
flower, in  1620. 

James  Otis,  the  illustrious  subject  of  this  sketch,  de- 
scended in  the  fifth  generation  from  the  first  of  the  name 
in  this  country,  was  born  at  Great  Marshes,  in  what  is 
now  called  West  Barnstable,  Feb.  5th,  1725.  He  was 
carefully  prepared  for  college  under  the  care  of  Rev. 
Jonathan  Russell,  the  clergyman  of  the  parish,  and  en- 
tered Harvard  in  June,  1739.  The  first  years  of  his 
college  course  he  seems  to  have  devoted  more  to  social  en- 
joyment than  severe  mental  discipline ;  but  in  his  junior 
year  he  ^changed  his  habits,  and  by  the  greatest  industry 
did  much  to  redeem  lost  time.  He  graduated  in  1743, 
and  in  due  order  took  his  second  degree.  « 

Of  his  juvenile  traits  of  character,  little  can  now  be 


JAMBS    OTI&.  65 

gleaned.  It  is  known  that  when  he  came  home  from 
college,  his  love  of  study  was  intense  and  perpetual.  In 
general  he  was  meditative  and  grave,  but  occasionally 
was  gay  and  sarcastic.  He  sometimes  beguiled  the 
weariness  of  abstract  speculation  by  playing  on  a  violin. 
A  company  of  young  people  one  day  prevailed  on  him 
to  treat  them  to  a  country  dance.  The  set  was  made 
up,  and  when  in  the  full  tide  of  successful  experiment, 
he  suddenly  stopped,  as  if  struck  with  the  folly  of  the 
pursuit,  and  hurling  up  his  instrument,  exclaimed,  "So 
Orpheus  fiddled,  and  so  danced  the  brutes !"  He  rushed 
into  a  neighboring  garden,  and  forsook  the  revel  for  a 
nobler  occupation. 

After  completing  the  usual  course  of  classical  studies, 
Mr.  Otis  devoted  two  years  to  elegant  literature,  before 
entering  upon  the  study  of  a  profession.  He  was  very 
fond  of  the  best  poets,  and,  in  the  zealous  emulation  of 
their  beauties,  he  energized  his  spirit  and  power  of  ex- 
pression. He  did  not  merely  read  over  the  finest  pas- 
sages— he  pondered  them — he  fused  them  into  his  soul — 
and  reproduced  their  charms  with  an  energy  all  his  own. 
In  the  skill  of  pouring  the  whole  spirit  of  an  author  into 
the  most  familiar  extract,  making  the  heart  bleed  at  the 
sorrows  of  Hecuba,  and  the  soul  quake  under. the  impre- 
cations of  Lear — a  talent  of  the  highest  utility  in  popular 
address,  and  capable  of  being  wielded  to  the  noblest  ends 
— James  Otis  excelled. 

His  education  was  liberal,  in  the  true  and  noble  sense 
of  the  term  ;  in  science  he -was  well  grounded  ;  in  ele- 
gant letters  he  was  an  accomplished  scholar  ;  and  to  the 
end  of  his  brilliant  career  he  prosecuted  his  studies  with 


66  OKATORS    OF    T»E    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

untiring  industry.  In  the  midst  of  innumerable  profes- 
sional toils,  he  wrote  a  valuable  work  on  Latin  Compo- 
sition, and  another  on  Greek  Prosody,  the  latter  of  which 
was  never  published,  as  there  was  then  no  Greek  type 
in  the  country,  but  remained  in  manuscript,  and  perished 
with  all  the  author's  valuable  papers. 

In  1745,  he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of 
Mr.  Gridley,  at  that  time  the  most  eminent  lawyer  in 
the  Colony.  Having  finished  his  preparation  for  the 
bar,  he  removed  to  Plymouth  in  1748,  and  was  admitted 
to  practice.  Two  years,  afterwards  he  removed  to 
Boston,  and  came  rapidly  into  notice  as  an  accomplished 
advocate.  His  talents  were  in  requisition  far  and  near. 
On  one  occasion  he  went  to  Halifax  in  the  middle  of 
winter,  to  argue  a  very  important  cause.  His  private 
studies  were  as  incessant  as  his  public  labors  were 
honorable. 

In  the  spring  of  1775,  Mr.  Otis  was  married  to  Miss 
Ruth  Cunningham,  the  very  beautiful  and  accomplished, 
daughter  of  a  wealthy  merchant.  They  had  three  chil- 
dren, one  son  and  two  daughters.  MrsrOtis  is  repre- 
sented as  having  been  a  placid  and  formal  matron,  hap- 
pily adapted  to  modify  the  impetuous  genius  and  reck- 
less daring  which  so  peculiarly  adapted  her  husband  for 
the  great  crisis  of  national  affairs  which  he  was  destined 
in  a  great  degree  both  to  create  and  control. 

On  November  26th,  1768,  he  addressed  a  letter  to.Mr. 
Arthur  Jones,  in  which  intimations  occur  of  the  gather- 
ing $4orm.  "All  business  is  at  a  stand  here,  little  going 
on  besides  military  musters  and  reviews,  and  other 
parading  of  the  red-coats,  sent  here,  the  Lord,  I  believe, 


JAMES    OTIS.  67 

only  knows  for  what.  I  am  and  have  been  long  con- 
cerned, more  for  Great  Britain  than,  for  the  Colonies. 
You  may  rain  youi'selves,  but  you  cannot  in  the  end 
ruin  the  Colonies.  Our  fathers  were  a  good  people ;  we 
have  been  a  free  people,  and  if  you  will  not  let  us  re- 
main so  any  longer,  we  shall  be  a  great  people,  and  the 
present  measures  can  have  no  tendency  but  to  hasten, 
with  great  rapidity,  events  which  every  good  and  honest 
man  would  wish  delayed  for  ages,  if  possible,  prevented 
for  ever." 

During  the  period  of  Colonial  subordination,  Otis  was 
the  constant  vindicator  of  American  rights  ;  and  when 
British  usurpation  became  as  burdensome  as  it  was  un- 
just, he  defended  his  countrymen  with  an  eloquence 
whose  ultimate  influence  transcended  his  own  sublime 
aspirations.  He  sowed  the  seeds  of  liberty  in.  this  new 
world,  without  living  to  see  the  harvest,  and,  probably, 
without  ever  dreaming  what  magnificent  crops  would  soon 
be  produced.  But  he  seems  to  have  felt  himself  predes- 
tined to  an  exalted  public  career,  and  knew  that  he  oc- 
cupied "  a  dreadful  post  of  observation,  darker  every 
hour." 

Circumstances  do  not  so  much  form  men  as  reveal 
them  ;  they  develope  the  royaky  of  those  who  are  kings 
without  the  name,  and  who,  elevated  by  the  tempest  they 
were  born  to  rule,  reign  by  force  of  character  and  gran- 
deur of  thought.  Without  ancestors  and  without  pro- 
geny, alone  of  their  race,  their  mission  is  accomplished 
when  the  occasion  which  demanded  their  existence  is 
passed,  and  they  then  disappear,  leaving  to  the  world 
decrees  which  are  sure  to  be  performed. 


68  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

In  1760,  George  the  Second  suddenly  died,  and  his 
grandson  reigned  in  his  stead.  Then  were  edicts  issued 
which  enabled  the  king's  collectors  to  compel  all  sheriffs 
and  .constables  to  attend  and  aid  them  in  breaking  open 
houses,  stores,  cellars,  ships,  trunks,  &c.,  &c.,  to  search 
for  goods  which  it  was  supposed  had  not  paid  the  un- 
righteous taxes  imposed  by  parliament,  through  the  influ- 
ence of  the  royal  governors,  and  certain  avaricious 
West  India  planters.  Dreading  the  "  obstinacy"  of  the 
Bostonians,  the  minions  of  power  proposed  to  try  their 
first  experiment  at  Salem.  But  the  Supreme  Court,  then 
sitting  there,  ordered  that  the  "great  question  of  the  le- 
gality-of  the  obnoxious  measure  should  be  argued  in 
Boston."  "  The  fire  in  the  flint  shines  not  till  it  te 
struck,"  and  this  was  the  occasion  when  Mr.  Otis  first 
became  famous  in  history.  When  the  order  relating  to 
the  "  Writs  of  Assistance,"  as  they  were  called,  came 
from  England,  he  was  Advocate-General  of  the  Colony 
of  Massachusetts.  Deeming  them  to  be  illegal  and  ty- 
rannical, he  refused  to  enforce  them,  and  resigned  his 
office.  At  the  request  of  the  Colonists,  he  undertook  to 
argue  against  the  writs,  and  met  in  stern  conflict  his 
veteran  law-teacher,  Mr.  Gridley,  then  Attorney-General. 
It  was  on  the  occasion'  of  that  great  argument,  that 
James  Otis  blazed  forth,  the  bold,  erudite,  brilliant  and 
victorious  champion  of  Colonial  rights.  Knowing  that 
he  stood  on  the  immovable  foundation  of  justice,  and 
conscious  that  he  was  fortified  by  the  law,  he  gave  a 
rein  to  his  oratorical  powers,  and  soared  into  re- 
of  patriotic  principles  new  both  to  himself  and  the 
world.  The  doctrines  he  broached  and  the  conclusions 


JAMBS    OTIS.  69 

he  deduced,  fell  like  brands  of  fire  on  the  summits  of  the 
political  world,  and  kindled  a  conflagration  destined 
to  sunder  every  fetter,  and  enlighten  every  human 
mind. 

The  lucid  impetuosity  of  that  great  speech,  dazzled  its 
antagonists  into  awe,  and  inspired  a  youthful  spectator 
with  a  spirit  of  patriotism  which  lived  through  the  sub- 
sequent struggle  for  national  freedom,  and  on  the  memo- 
rable death-day  of  two  Presidents,  cried,  amid  shouting 
millions  of  happy  citizens — "  Liberty  and  Independence 
for  ever  !"^ 

"  Otis  was  a  flame  of  fire,"  says  John  Adams,  in  his 
sketch  of  the  gcene.  "  With  a  promptitude  of  classical 
allusions,  and  a  depth  of  research,  a  rapid  summary  of 
historical  events  and  dates,  a  profusion  of  legal  authori- 
ties, a  prophetic  glance  of  his  eyes  inta  futurity,  and  a 
rapid  torrent  of  impetuous  eloquence,  he  hurried  away 
all  before  him.  Trie' seeds  of  patriots  and  heroes  were 
then  and  there  sown.  Every  man  of  an  immensely 
crowded  audience  appeared  to  me  to  go  away,  as  I  (fid, 
ready  to  take  arms  against  Writs  of  Assistance.  Then 
and  there  was  the  first  scene  of  the  first  act  of- opposi- 
tion to  the  arbitrary  claims  of  Great  I&itain,-.  Then 
and  there  the  child  Independence  was  born.  In  fif- 
teen years,  that  is,  in  1776,  he"  grew  up  to  manhood,  and 
declared  himself  free." 

That  spark  kindled  where  it  fell ;  and  we  shall  here- 
after have  occasion  to  show,  how  the  third  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  was  in  a  political  sense  born 
simultaneously  with  the  first  cry  of  liberty  enunciated  in 
the  Colony  of  Virginia,  by  the  great  orator  of  the  South. 


70  ORATORS    OF    THE 'AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

The  question  is,  perhaps,  more  curious  than  profitable, 
which  relates  to  the  source  and  occasion  of  the  first  of 
that  series  of  events  which  produced  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.  Men  have  often  asked,  what  was  its  origi- 
nal cause,  and  who  struck  the  first  blow  ?  "  This  inquiry 
was  well  answered  by  President  Jefferson,  in  a  letter  to 
Dr.  Waterhpuse  of  Cambridge,  written  March  3d,  1818. 

"  1  suppofe  it  would  be  difficult  to  trace  our  Revolu- 
tion to  its  first  embryo.  We  do  not  know  how  long  it 
was  hatching  in  the  British  cabinet,  before  they  ven- 
tured to  make  the  first  of  the  experiments  which  were 
to  develope  it  ia  the  end,  and  to  produce  complete  par- 
liamentary supremacy.  Those  you  mention  in  Massa- 
chusetts as  preceding  the  Stamp- Act  might  be  the  first 
visible  symptoms  of  that  design.  The  proposition  of 
that  Act,  in  1764,  was  the  first  here.  Your  opposition, 
therefore,  preceded  ours,  as  occasion  was  sooner  given 
there  than  here,  and  the  truth,  I  suppose,  is,  that  the  op- 
position, in  every  colony,  began  whenever  the  encroach- 
m£ht  was  presented  to  it.  This  question  of  priority  k 
as  the  inquiry  would  be,  who  first  of  the  three  hundred 
Spartans  offered  his  name  tojLeonidasJ  I  shall  be  happy 
to  see  justice  done  te  the  merits  of  all." 

Leaving  the  question  as  to  when  and  how  the  Revo- 
lution began,  let  us  look  at  the  aspect  presented  by  this 
era  in  the  career  of  Mr.  Otis.  He  took  the  side  of  his 
country  in  the  above  legal  contest,  at  great  pecuniary 
sacrifice,  and  under  other  peculiar  circumstances  which 
made  his  decision  irrevocable.  He  was  transferred  at 
once  from  the  ranks  of  private  life  to  the  leadership  of 
opposition  against  the  designs  of  the  British  ministry. 


JAMES    OTIS.  71 

"  Although,"  says  President  Adams,  "  Mr.  Otis  had  never 
before  interfered  in  public  affairs,  his  exertions  on  this 
single  occasion  secured  him  a  commanding  popularity 
with  the  friends  of  their  country,  and  the  terror  and 
vengeance  of  her  enemies ;  neither  of  which  ever  de- 
serted him." 

In  the  primitive  opposition  made  by  Otis  to  the  arbi- 
trary acts  of  Trade,  aided  by  the  Writs  of'  Assistance, 
he  announced  two  maxims  which  lay  at  the  foundation 
of  all  the  subsequent  war ;  one  was,-  that  "  taxation 
without  representation  was  tyranny,"  the  other,  "  that 
expenditures  of  ^public  money  without  appropriations  by 
the  representatives  of  the  people,  were  arbitrary,  and 
therefore  unconstitutional.'^  This  early  and  acute  saga- 
city of  our  statesmen,  led  Burke  finely  to  describe  the 
political  feeling  in  America  as  follows;  "In  other  coun- 
tries, the  people,  more  simple,  of  a  less  mercurial  cast, 
judge  of  an  ill  principle  in  government,  only  by  an  ac- 
tual grievance  ;  here  they  anticipate  the  evil,  and  judge 
of  the  pressure  of  the  grievance,  by  the  badness  of  the 
principle.  They  augur  misgovevnment  at  a  distance ; 
and  snuff  the  approach  of  tyranny  in  every  tainted 
breeze." 

Mr.  Otis  was  unanimously  chosen  to  the  legislature  in 
May,  1761.  The  chiqf  topic  in  debate  for  the  session 
was  the  currency.  Governor  Hutchinson  and  Otis 
were  the  leaders.  The  latter  gave  proof  of  great  learn- 
ing and  powerful  reasoning,  mingled  with  great  sarcasm 
at  his  opponent,  for  whom  he  seems  never  to  have  en- 
tertained either  fear  or  respect.  From  his  first  appear- 
ance as  a  legislator,  Otis  exhibited  such  superiority  of 


72  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION, 

talent  and  energy  over  all  others,  that,  in  1763,  we  find 
him  in  the  full  lead  ef  all,  important  measures.- ,  In  this 
yea*,  "Governor  Bernard  sent  a  message  respecting 
troops,  which -was  strongly  resented  by  our  hero.  The 
Governor  replied  in  another  message,  to  which  Otis,  as 
chairman  of  the  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose, 
drew  up  a  response,  which  co-ntained  the  following  sen- 
tence : 

"  No  necessity  can  be  sufficient  to  justify  a  House  of 
Representatives,  in  giving  up  such  a  privilege;  for  it 
would  'be  of  little  consequence  to  the  people,  whether 
they  were  subject  to  George  or  Lewis,  the  king  of  Great 
Britain  or  the  French  king,  if  both  were  arbitrary,- as 
both  would  be,  if  they  could  levy  taxes  without  Parlia- 
ment." 

When  this  was  read,  Mr.  Paine,  a  member  from  Wor- 
cester,-cried  out  "Treason!  Treason!"  but  after  an 
eloquent  speech  from  Otis,  the  answer  was  passed  entire 
by  a  large  majority,  and  sent  to  the  Governor.  We 
shall -have  occasion  to  notice  the  striking  resemblance 
between  James  Otis  and  Patrick  Henry  in  their  charac- 
ter and  career ;  the  above  incident  is  one  of  the  par- 
allels. 

In  1762,  a  pamphlet  appeared,  bearing  the  following 
title :  "  A  Vindication  of  the  Conduct  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  of  the  Province  of  the  Massachusetts 
Bay :  more  particularly  in  the  last  se'ssion  of  the  General 
Assembly.  By  James  Otis,  Esq.,  a  Member  of  said 
House. 

Let  such,  such  only,  tread  this  sacred  floor, 
Who  dare  to  love  their  country  and  be  poor  . 


JAMES    OTIS.  73 

Or  good  though  rich,  humane  and  wise  though  great, 
Jove  give  but  these,  we've  naught  to  fear  from  fate. 

Boston,  printed  by  Edes  and  Gill." 

Instead  of  copious  quotations  from  this  patriotic  work, 
we  present  the  following  judgment  upon  its  merits  by 
one  best  qualified  to  estimate  its  worth.'  "  How  many 
volumes,"  says  John  Adams,  "  are  concentrated  in  this 
little  fugitive  pamphlet,  the  production  of  a  few  hurried 
Hours,  amidst  the  continual  solicitation  of  a  crowd 
of  clients;  for  his  business  at  the  bar  at  that  time 
was  very  extensive,  and  of  the  first  importance,  and 
amidst  the  host  of  politicians,  suggesting  their  plans  and 
schemes!  Look  over  the  Declarations  of  Rights  and 
Wrongs  issued  by  Congress  in  1774.  Look  into  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  in  1776.  Look  into  the 
writings  of ( Dr.  Price  and  Dr.  Priestley)  Look  into  all 
the  French  constitutions  of  government;  and  to  cap  the 
climax,  look  into-Mr.  Thomas  Paine V  Common  Sense, 
Crisis,  and  Rights  of  Man  ;  what  can  you  find  that  is 
not  to  be  found  in  solid  substance  in  this  Vindication  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  ?" 

About  1776,  Mr.  Otis  seemed  inclined  to  a  compro- 
mise, and  labored  to  conciliate  parties  at  home  and 
abroad.  This  excited  surprise,  suspicion  and  obloquy. 
But  events'  soon  proved,  that  although  he  relaxed  his 
opposition  for  a  while,  he  had  not  changed  sides.  At 
the  opening  of  the  legislature  in  1765,  he  resumed  his 
wonted  standing,  and,  in  the  language  of  John  Adams, 
"  he  on  whose  zeal,  energy  and  exertions  the  whole  great 
cause  seemed  to  depend,  returned  to  his  duty,  and  gave, 
entire  satisfaction  to  the  end  of  his  political  career," 


74  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

In  the  course  of  the  same  year,  1765,  Otis  produced 
another  work,  with  the  following  title :  "  Considerations 
on  behalf  of  the  Colonists,  in  a  Letter  to  a  noble  Lord. 
London :  printed  for  J.  Almon."  The  manuscript  was 
sent  from  New  England,  dated  Boston,  Sept.  4,  1705. 
.  ~It  was  written  with  great  spirit  and  ability,  and  was  the 
iast  printed  work  from  the  pen  of  Otis. 
;-v  Oh,  the  19th  of  October,  1765,  the  Stamp-Act  Con- 
gress assembled  in  New  York.  Nine  colonies  were  re- 
presented. Mr.  Otis  was  one  of  the  members  from  Mas- 
sachusetts. Here,  as  elsewhere,  he  stood  high  in  the 
opinion  of  his  colleagues,  for  extraordinary  energy  and 
talents. 

On  his  return  to  the  colonial  legislature  of  1766,  Otis 
was  appointed  chairman  of  a  committee  to  reply  to  the 
angry  message  of  Governor  Bernard.  The  answer  is 
characteristic  of  its  author.  They  do  not  dispute  the 
governor's  right  to  deliver  a  speech  in  any  way  he 
pleases ;  at  the  same  time,  when  it  contained  sentiments 
which  reflected  on  them  or  their  constituents,  they  add, 
"  it  appears  to  us  an  undue  -exercise  of  the  prerogative, 
to  lay  us  under  the  necessity,  either  of  silence,  or  of 
being  thought  out  of  season  in  making  a  reply.  Your 
Excellency  says,  that  these  times  have  been  more  diffi- 
cult than  they  need  have  been  ;  which  is  also  the  opi- 
nion of  this  House.  Those  who  have  made  them  so, 
have  reason  to  regret  the  injury  they  have  done  to  a  sin- 
cere and  honest  people."  More  follows  in  the  same  tart 
strain,  which  we  need  not  quote. 

During  the  session  of  this  year,  an  innovation  was 
made  in  the  history  of  legislation  which  strikingly  indi- 


JAME8   JUTIS.  75 

cates  the  progress  then  made  in  free  thought  and  freedom 
of  speech.  On  the  3d  of  June,  1766.  Otis  brought  for- 
ward a  proposition,  which  was  carried,  "  for  opening  a 
gallery  for  such  as  wished  to  hear  the  debates."  Th*ts 
was  a  harmony  first-produced  between  the  spirit  of  a  re- 
presentative government  and  the  masses  of  the  people  ; 
a  vast  leap  in  the  improvement  which  tended  powerfully 
to  diffuse  knowledge  and  create  vigilance  among  the  po- 
pulace in  respect  to  their  inalienable  rights.  To  that 
little  beginning  in  the  patriotic  and  magnanimous  mind 
of  Otis,  as  in  many  other  particulars,  we  may  trace  the 
stupendous  superiority  of  this  country  at  present  over 
all  other  nations,  in  the  influence  of  parliamentary  and 
popular  speech. 

Repeated  revolutions  in  France  have  bequeathed  to 
that  country  two  Houses  of  legislation,  and  a  press  par- 
tially redeemed  from  military  despotism.  But  the  Peers 
habitually  hold  their  sessions  in  secret ;  and  the  Chamber 
of  Deputies  can  scarcely  be  called  a  deliberative  body. 
The  members  read  their  orations  from  a  contracted  pul- 
pit, to  few  or  no  listeners  from  among  the  people.  Should 
a  debate  chance  to  grow  warmly  eloquent,  any  orator 
wrho  might  hazard  an  obnoxious  sentiment  against  the 
crown,  is  liable  to  be  immediately  marched'  out  by  an 
armed  force; 

The  legislature  of  England  is  scarcely  more  propitious 
to  free  and  effective  eloquence.  In  theory,  the  House 
of  Commons  contains  about  seven  hundred  members  ; 
in  practice,  debates  occur  and  laws  are  enacted  usually 
in  the  presence  of  fifty  or  sixty.  Most  of  the  bills  are 
drafted,  not  by  members,  but  by  clerks  hired  for  that 


76  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

purpose ;  leaving  the  dignitaries  to  relieve  the  stupidity 
of  their  stammering  debates  with  frequent  cries  of  "hear, 
hear  !"  No  popular  audience  is  permitted ;  only  a  few 

t'standers  can  gain  admittance  in  an  obscure  gallery, 
id  that  under  very -inconvenient  restrictions.  Reports 
of  debates  are  unauthorized,  and  of  course  imperfect. 
No  visitor  is  allowed  to  have  pen  or  pencil  in  his  hand 
in  Parliament.-  To  render  the  matter  worse,  by  a  strange 
perversion  of  the  hours,  unknown  in  any  other  country 
or  age,  most  of  the  important  legislation  transpires  in 
the  dead  of  night,  when  those  who  are  sane  and  sound, 
and  who  desire  to  remain  so,  are  reposing  in  bed,  rather 
than  yawning  on  the  lordly  woolsack  and  the  soft  chairs 
of  state. 

There  are  but  three  legislatures  in  the  world  that  are 
popular,  even  "in  form.  We  have  glanced  at  two  of 
»them,  and  if  is  evident  that  they  present  a  meagre  field 
for  eloquence,  compared  with  the  American  Congress. 
In  the  British  Parliament,  for  instance,  there  are  not  at 
present,  and  never  were  in  its  best  condition,  more  than 
two  or  three  at  any  one  time,  actuated  by  the  great  im- 
pulses of  oratory.  When  some  of  the  best  productions 
accredited  to  the  best  days  of  Parliament  were  praised, 
Dr.  Samuel  Johnson  said,  "  those  speeches  I  wrote  in  a 
garret."  But  the  masterly  eloquence  of  our  Congress 
has  no  such  origin ;  it  is  partly  inspired  and  fully  veri- 
fied by  the  crowds  of  freemen  who  throng  free  galleries, 
a  right  which  James  Otis  early  perceived,  and  happily 
procured. 

Another  important  feature  in  the  unfolding  of  our 
free  institutions,  was  the  system  of  town-meetings  which 


JAMES    OTIS.  77 

began  to  be  held  as  early  as  1767.  One  held  in  October 
of  that  year  was  presided  over  by  Otis,  and  was  called 
to  resist  new  acts  of  British  aggression  on  colonial 
rights.  On  Sept.  12th,  1768,  a  town-meeting  was  held, 
which  was  opened  with  a  prayer  by  Dr.  Cooper.  Otw 
was  chosen  moderator.  The  petition  for  calling  the 
meeting  requested,  that  inquiry  should  be  made  of 
his  Excellency,  for  "  the  grounds  and  reasons  of  sundry 
declarations  made  by  him,  that  three  regiments  might 
be  daily  expected,"  &c.  A  committee  was  appointed 
to  wait  upon  the  governor,  urging  him  in  the  present 
critical  state  of  affairs  to  issue  precepts  for  a  general 
assembly  of  the  province,  to  take  suitable  measures  for 
the  preservation  of  their  rights  and  privileges ;  and  that 
he  should  be  requested  to  favor  the  town  with  an  im- 
mediate answer. 

In  October  several  ship-loads  of  troops  arrive.  The 
storm  thickens.  Another  town-meeting  is  called,  and 
it  is  voted  that  the  several  ministers  of  the  Gospel  be 
requested  to  appoint  the  next  Tuesday  as  a  day  of 
fasting  and  prayer.  The  day  arrives,  and  Faneuil  Hall 
is  crowded  by  committees  from  sixty-two  towns.  They 
petition  the  governor  to  call  a  General  Court.  Otis 
appeared  in  behalf  of  the  people,  under  circumstances 
that  strongly  attest  his  heroism.  Cannon  were  planted 
at  the  entrance  of  the  building,  and  a  body  of  troops 
were  quartered  in  the.  representatives'  chamber.  After 
the  court  was  opened,  Otis  rose,  and  moved  that  they 
should  adjourn  to  Faneuil  Hall.  With  a  significant 
expression  of  loathing  .and  scorn,  he  observed,  "  that  the 
stench  occasioned  by  the  troops  in  the  hall  of  legislation 


78  ORATORS    OF    TtiE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

might  prove  infectious^  and  that  it  was  utterly  deroga- 
tory to  the  court  to  administer  justice  at  the  points  of 
bayonets  and  mouths  of  cannon." 
*  Soon  after  this,  Mr.  Otis  was  violently  assaulted  at 
the  British  coffee-house  in  State  street,  by  a  miscreant  ) 
named  Robinson.  Five  or  six  bludgeons,  and  one 
scabbard,  were  'found  on  the  scene  of  murderous  attack, 
from  which  the  assassin  retreated  through  a  back  pas- 
sage. Mr.  Otis  was  cruelly  lacerated  in  body  and 
shattered  in  mind  by  this  assault,  to  a  degree  from  which 
he  never  entirely  recovered. 

But  the  bloody  5th  of. March  soon  arrived,  and  with 
it,  nearly  on  the  same  spot,  the  massacre  of  citizens  was 
perpetrated  by  mercenary  troops.  This  aroused  a  whole 
people  to  the  full  atonement  of  outrageous  wrongs. 

In  1770,  mutilated  and  dispirited,  Mr.  Otis  retired  to 
the  country  in  pursuit  of  health.  The  town  of  Boston, 
on  the  8th  of  May,  passed  a  special  vote  of  thanks 
to  him  for  his  great  public  services,  accompanied  with 
strong  solicitude  for  his  recovery. 

In  the  debate  on  the  Boston  Port  Bill  in  Parliament, 
April  15th,  1774,  Colonel  Barre  referred  to  the  ruf- 
fianly attack  made  on  Mr.  Otis,  and  his  treatment  of 
the  injury,  in  a  manner  that  reflects  honor  on  both  of 
the  orators.  "Is  this  the  return  you  make  them?" 
inquired  the  British  statesman.  "  When  a  commis- 
sioner of  the  customs,  aided  by  a  number  of  ruffians, 
assaulted  the  celebrated  Mr.  Otis,  in  the  midst  of  the 
town  of  Boston,  and  with  the  most  barbarous  violence 
almost  murdered  him,  did  the  mob,  which  is  said  to 
rule  that  town,  take  vengeance  on  the  perpetrators  of 


JAMES    OTIS.  79 

_ 

this  inhuman  outrage  against  a  person  who  is  supposed 
to  be  their  demagogue  ?  No,  sir,  the  law  tried  them,  the 
law  gave  heavy  damages  against  them,  which  the 
irreparably  injured  Mr.  Otis  most  generously  forgave, 
upon  an  acknowledgment  of  the  offence.  Can  you 
expect  any  more  such  instances  of  magnanimity  under 
the  principle  of  the  Bill  now  proposed  ?" 

The  allusion  here  is  to  the  fact  that  when  the  jury 
had  awarded  to  Mr.-  Otis  two  thousand  pounds  sterling, 
as  damages,  it  was  all  relinquished  as  soon  as  Robinson 
publicly  confessed  the  wrong.  Said  the  noble-hearted 
sufferer,  "  It  is  impossible  that  J  should  take  a  penny 
from  a  man  in  this  way,  after  an  acknowledgment  of 
his  error."  Such  magnanimity  had  ever  been  a  trait 
prominent  in  Mr.  Otis.  He  was  distinguished  for  gen- 
erosity to  both  friends  and  foes.  Governor  Hutchinson 
said  of  him ;  "  that  he  never  knew  fairer  or  more  noble 
conduct  in  a  pleader,  than  in  Otis;  that  he  always 
disdained  to  take  advantage  of  any  clerical  error,  or 
similar  inadvertence,  but  passed  ever  minor  points,  and 
defended  his  causes  solely  on  their  broad  and  substantial 
foundations."  When  he  plead  against  Writs  of  As- 
sistance he  did  it  gratuitously,  saying,  "  in  such  a  cause, 
I  despise  all  fees."  But  in  that  contest  there  was 
something  nobler  exhibited  than  superiority  to  mer- 
cenary consideration.  "It  was,"  says  the  venerable 
President  so  often  quoted,  "  a  moral  spectacle  more 
affecting  to  me  than  any  I  have  since  seen  upon  the 
stage,  to  observe  a,pupil  treating  his  master  with  all  the 
deference,  respect,  esteem,  and  affection  of  a"  son  to  a 
father,  and  that  without  the  least  affectation  ;  while  he 


%* 


80  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

baffled  and  confounded  all  his  authorities,  confuted 
all  his  arguments,  and  reduced  him  to  silence!  Tite 
crown,  by  its  agents,  accumulated  construction^upon 
construction,  and  inference  upon  inference,  as- the  giants 

fl  " 

heaped  \Pelion  upon  Ossac  but  Otis,  like  Jupiter,  dashed 
this  whole  building  to  pieces,  and  scattered  the  pulver- 
ized atoms  to  the  four  winds  ;  and  no  judge,  lawyer,  or 
crown  officer  dared  to  say,  why  do  ye-so  ?  He  raised 
such  a  storm  of  indignation,  that  even  Hutchinson, 
who  had  been  appointed  on  purpose  to  sanction  this 
writ,  dared  not  utter  a  word  in  its  favor,  and  Mr. 
Gridley  himself  seemed  to  me  to  exult  inwardly  at  the 
glory  and  triumph  of  his  pupil." 

The  ardent  devotion  to  literature  which  distinguished 
Mr.  Otis  early  in  life,  and  characterized  his  subsequent 
career,  remained  predominant  in  the  evening  of  his 
days.  His  stores  of  knowledge  were  diversified  and 
extremely  abundant.  Even  after  he  suffered  the  shock 
which  occasioned  temporary  insanity,  he  seized  with 
avidity  every  opportunity  for  discussing  literary  topics, 
his  strong  memory  and  'copious  acquisitions  always 
enabling  him  to  take  the  lead. 

The  above  sketch  of  the  mental  character  and  political 
career  of  James  Otis,  vrill  enable  us  the  better  to  analyse 
his  eloquence.  But,  unfortunately,  few  of  his  rhetorical 
productions  are  now  extant.  A  sad  fatality  attended 
all  his  manuscripts.  None  of  his  speeches  were  fully 
recorded,  and  he  himself  being  cut  off  from  active  life 
before  the  Revolution  actually  commenced,  his  name  is 
connected  "With  no'ne  of  the  public  documents  of  the 
natioH.  His  memorials  as  an  orator  are  rather  tradi- 


JAMES    OTIS.  81 

tionary  than  actual ;  we  are  compelled  to  estimate  his 
merits  chiefly  through  the  imperfect  descriptions,  but 
boundless  admiration,  of  his  time.  But  the  mutilated 
fragments  that  yet  survive  are  colossal,  and  with  these 
for  our  guide  we  can  in  faint  idea  reconstruct  the  noble 
proportions  of  the  original  works,  asjCuvier  jbuilt  up  the 
(Mastedon\from  a  few  relics,  and  Michael  Angelo,  with 
the  (Torso/  of  the  Vatican  before  him,  projected  anew 
the  master-piece  of  Grecian  genius  on  a  scale  of  artistic 
grandeur  which  threw  into  insignificance  all  the  con- 
ceptions of  cotemporary  minds. 

There  is  sublimity   in   the    very  idea  of  one  man 
presuming  to  brave  such  perils  and  power  as  Mr,  Otis 

was  called  to  face. 

^f. 

"  We  can  admire  the  man  who  dares  a  Iron, 
But  not  the  trampler  on  a  worm." 

The  era  in  which  he  was  born  was  favorable  to  the 
exercise  of  his  peculiar  gifts.  The  time  to  favor  free- 
dom, the  set  time,  for  the  advent  of  a  powerful  advocate 
of  popular  rights,  like  Otis,  iiad  come ;  the  corypheus 
appeared  and  brought  the  proper  talents  with  him. 
His  eloquence  was  bold,  witty,  pungent,  and  practical. 
His  boldness  was  a  prominent  trait,  and  the  sure 
pjecurspr  of  powerful  changes.  Men  adapted  to  the 
wants  of^their  age  are  never  wanting.  When /por- 
tentous storms  are  lowering — when  the  battles  of 
freedom  are  approaching — -when  the  excited  ocean  of 
human  thought  and  feeling  waves  around  some  firm, 
heroical  leader,  as  where  "the  broad-breasted  rock 
glasses  his  rugged  forehead  in  the  sea"-^-then  are  the 
4* 


t 

82  ORATORS    OF    THE"  AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

unutterable  effects  of  eloquence  produced  less  by  the 
genius  of^he  speaker, « than  by  the  sympathy  of  the 
audience.  They  receive  with  rapture  what  their  own 
ardor  has  half  inspired. 

From  the  life  and  education  of  Mr.  Otis,  we  should 
infer  that  his  eloquence  would  be  naturally  and  ex- 
tremely bold.  The  mind  grows  by  what  it  feeds  on  ; 
it  becomes  invigorated  and  fashioned  both  by  its 
aliment  and  exercise.  Every  original  thought,  and 
every  -genuine  utterance  imparts  to  a  speaker  new 
force  of  will  and  increased  (felicity /of  speech.  The 
more  one's  mind  shapes  excellence  to  itself  and  bodies 
it  forth  in  efforts  to  promote  noble  ends,  the  more  is  its 
native  capacity  .to  create  ^substantiated,  land  its  happy 
power  of  execution  increased.  Our  passions  are  the 
most  potent  artists;  they  surround  themselves  with  fit 
occasions,  Assimilate  (to  themselves  appropriate  mate- 
rials; and,  when  wisely  disciplined  in  a  sphere  com- 
mensurate with  their  ability,  they  people  the  void  of 
longing  hearts  with  beautiful  forms,  and  store  the  king- 
dom of  thought  with  imagery,  familiar  or  fantastic, 
radiant  and  dWine,  suited  to  every  class  and  every 
theme.  4 

Otis  communed  much  with  other  minds,  but  more 
with  his  own.  He  was  erudite,  and  yet  original ; 
courteous  in  his  deference  to  the  opinions  %f  others, 
out  bold  and  daring  in  his  own  investigations.  He 
was  supple  as  a  babe  to  appeals  that  were  conciliating 
and  motives  that  were  just;  but  in  the  presence  of 
arrogance  and  oppression,  he  was  stubborn  as  rock. 
Legions  of  armed  tyrants  were  to  his  bold*  and  indomi- 


** 

JAMES    OTIS.  83 

table  sprrit  things  to  be  trampled  on  in  sport,  "  like 
forms  of  chalk  painted  on  rich  men's  floort  for  one 
feast  night." 

The  wit  exemplified  by  Mr.  Otis  in  debate  was  often 
keen  but  never  malignant,  as  in  John  Randolph.  The 
attacks  of  the  latter  were  often  fierce  and/virulentj  not 
un frequently  in  an  inverse  proportion  to  the  necessity 
of  the  case.  He  would  yield  himself  up  to  a  blind  and 
passionate  obstinacy,  and  lacerate  his  victims  for  no 
apparent  reason  but  the  mere  pleasure  of  inflicting 
pangs.  In  this  respect,  the  orator  of  Roanoke  .resem- 
bled the  Sicilian  tyrant  whose  taste  for  cruelty  led  him 
to  seek  recreation  in  putting  insects  to  the  torture.  If 
such  men  cannot  strike  strong  blows,  they  know  how 
to  fight  with  poisonous  weapons ;  thus  by  their  malig- 
nity, rather  than  by  their  honorable  skill,  they  can 
bring  the  noblest  antagonist  to  the  ground.  But  Mr. 
Otis  pursued  moo^  dignified  game  and  with  a  loftier 
purpose.  He  indeed  possessed  "a  Svviflian  gift  of  sar- 
casm," but,  unlike  the  Dean  of  St.  Patrick's,  and  the 
^forensic  gladiator  alluded  to  above,  he  never  employed 
it  in  a  spirit  of  hatred  and  contempt  towards  the  mass 
of  mankind.  Such  persons  should  remember  .the  words 
of/Calton<!  that,  "  Strong  and  sharp  as  our  wit  may  be, 
it  is  not  so  strong  as  the  memory  of  fools,  «or  so  keen 
as  their  resentment ;  he  that  has  not  strength  of  mind 
to  forgive,  is  by  no  means  weak  enough  to  forget ;  and 
it  is  much  more  easy  to  do  a  cruel  thmg  than  to  say  a 
severe  one." 

The  following  extract  from  his  Vindication  of  the 


84  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

Colony  of  Massachusetts,  in  1762,  will  illustrate  both 
the  boldness  and-  wit  of  Mr.  Otis  ; 

"In  order  to  excuse,  if  not  altogether  justify  the 
offensive  passage,  and  clear  it  from  ambiguity,  I  beg 
leave  to  premise  two  or  three;  data.t  1.  God  made  all 
men  naturally  equal.  2.  The  ideas  of  earthly  superior- 
ity, pre-eminence,  and  grandeur,  are  educational,  at 
least,  acquired,  not  innate.  3.  Kings  were  (and  planta- 
tion governors  should  be)  made  for  the  good  of  the 
people,  and  not  the  people  for  them.  4.  No  govern- 
ment has  a  right  to  make  -hobby  horses,  asses,  and 
slaves  of  the  subject;  nature  having  made  sufficient  of 
the  two  former,  for  all  the  lawful  purposes  of  man,  from 
the  harmless  peasant  in  the  field,  to  the  most  refined 
politician  in  the  cabinet,  but  none  of  the  last,  which 
infallibly  proves  they  are  unnecessary." 

Another  striking  trait  in  the  eloquence  of  James  Otis 
was  its  pungency.  He  was  eminently  natural,  intelli- 
gent, and  in  earnest.  As  completely  armed  as  he  was 
with  scholastic  tools,  yet,  in  his  public  speeches  he 
never  played  the  artificial  rhetorician.  No  sooner  did 
he  face  his  audience  than  he  resigned  all  to  the  noble 
impulses  of  his  ardent  nature,  and  sought  a  connection 
of  ideas  more  than  of  words-  —  or  rather,  he  sought  no 
relation,  and  thus  wielded  the  true  one  -,  for  passion, 
when  deep  and  honest,  has  a  logic  more  compact,  and 
more  convincing  even,  than  reason.  Figures  that  are 
striking,  emotions  that  are  fleeting,  intermingled  with 
close  reasoning  and  calm  repose,  constitute  a  style  of 
address  universally  popular,  because  adapted  to  olir 
nature.  Thoughts  must  not  present  a  dry,  anatomical 


JAMES    OTIS.  85 

form,  allowing  the  spectator  coolly  to  count  the  muscles, 
the  tendons,  and  the  bones;  they  must  be  clothed  with 
flesh,  all  glowing  with  latent  heat  that  gives  the  body 
quick  motion,  and  makes  it  tremble  with  the  energies 
of  immortal  life.  The  fragments  of  oratorical  composi- 
tions which  remain  to  us  of  Mr.  Otis,  are  marked  by 
sudden  transitions,  bold  imagery,  rapid  reasoning,  stern 
deductions,  and  overwhelming  appeals.  He  was  fear- 
less, impetuous,  and  imperiously  independent.  These 
are  the  mental  qualities  which  constitute  a  fascinating 
orator. 

One  who  is  accustomed  to  /extemporaneous/speech  in 
popular  assemblies,  and  is  therefore  self-possessed,  has 
a  great  advantage  over  the  frigid  thjnker  who  never 
looks  for  strong  effects  but  through  elaborate  premedita- 
tion. When  one  can  create  thought  rapidly  on  his  feet, 
and  has  the  grace  of  confidence  in  every  situation, 
ascends  the  rostrum  to  harangue  the  multitude  on  any 
topic  that  admits  of  an  appeal  to  the  feelings,  the  first 
flash  of  his  spontaneous  '  soul  creates  a  sympathetic 
communication  between  himself  and  his  fascinated 
audience.  That  which  is  thus  begun  in  pleasure  and 
continued  with  a  perpetually  augmented  force,  is-an 
agency  of  great  power,  and  may  be  subordinated  to  the 
most  useful  ends.  At  every  new  touch  T>f  feeling,  the 
popular  heart  swells  with  enlarged  conceptions  ;  at  each 
loftier  flight  of  fancy,  a  thousand  eyes  sparkle  with 
delight  or  swim  in  emotion.  All  this  tide  of  feeling  in 
turn  reacts  upon  the  susceptible  orator  and  rapidly 
accumulates  around  him  the  force  of  conviction.  In 
this  electrical  communication  between  excited  souls,  the 


86  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

whole  man  is  wrought  up  to  the  highest  pitch  of  mental 
action,  ardent  and  irresistible  as  the  blazing  torrent  of 
a  volcano.  The  faults  of  such  speakers  are '(palpable, 
but  their  excellences  place  them  immeasurably  beyond 
the  abilities  and  fame  of  ordinary  men. 

It  might  be  said  of  the  fervid  style  in  which  Mr.  Otis 
was  wont  to  speak,  as  was  said  of  the  most  renowned 
orator  of  antiquity.  It  is  scarcely  possible  to  divide  his 
speeches,  like  those  of  most  men,  into  argumentative 
and  declamatory  passages.  "Logic  and  rhetoric  are 
blended  together,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end ;  the 
speaker,  while  always  clear  and  profound,  is  always 
rapid  and  impassioned.  The  vivid  feeljng  displayed  at 
intervals  by  other ^orators,  bursts  forth  in  him  with  every 
sentence.  We  areiorcibly  reminded  of  the  description 
of  lightning  in  Homer  :  • 

"  '  By  turns  one  flash  succeeds,  as  one  expires?, 
And  heaven  flames  thick  with  momentary  fires.'  " 

There  is  usually  more  passion  than  intellect  in  the 
eloquence  which  creates  revolutions.  We  are  not 
much  moved  by  a  little  flame  that  burns  for  a  long  time- 
with  a  steady  light..  But  no  one  is  indifferent  to  those 
conflagrations  which  suddenly  burst  through  sombre 
clouds  and  then  expire  as  suddenly  as  they  were  born. 
Pindar  long  since  sang  of  the  astonishing  effects  pro- 
duced by  that  great  furnace  of  nature,  Etna,  which  is 
impressive  not  by  an  uniform  eruption,  but  because  at 
moments  of  fear  and  devastation  it  hurls  up,  from  its 
profound  depths,  cinders,  rocks,  and  rivers  of  flame.  It 
is  only  the  grand  and  extraordinary  that  is  admirable 


JAMES    OTIS.  87 

and  surprising.  The  passions  are  powerful  advocates, 
and  their  very  silence,  when  emotion  grows  dumb  from 
its  excess,  goes  most  directly  to  the  soul. 

Many  of  the  most  effective  orators,  of  all  ages, 
have  not  been  most  successful  in  long  and  formal 
efforts.  Nor  have  they  always  been  close  and  ready 
debaters.  "Sudden  bursts  which  seemed  to  be  the 
effect  of  inspiration — short  sentences  which  c.ame  like 
lightning,  dazzling,  burning,  striking  down  everything 
before  them — sentences  which,  spoken  at  critical  mo- 
ments, decided  the  fate  of  great  questions — sentences 
which  at  once  became  proverbs — sentences^  which 
every  body  still  knows  by  heart" — in  these  chiefly  lay 
the  oratorical  power  of  Mirabeau  and  Chath  am,  Patrick 
Henry  and  James  Otis. 

American  eloquence  has  ever  resembled  our  national 
domain,  spontaneous  and| prolific,  grand  ui  outline  and 
rich  in  tone.  The  most  refined  taste  in  landscape 
gardening  acts  on  the  principle  that  the  greatest  excel- 
lence consists  in  the  resemblance  to  nature — nature 
adorned  by  a  skilful  grouping  of  her  own  charms 
around  an  occasional  embellishment  of  art — but  in  all 
her  prevailing  features  nature  still.  Otis  was  naturally 
elevated  in  thought,  and  dwelt  with  greatest  delight  in 
the  calm  contemplation  of  the  lofty  principles  which 
should  govern  political  and  moral  conduct.  And  yet 
he  was  keenly  susceptible  to  excitement.  His  intellect 
explored  the  wilderness  of  the  universe  only  to  increase 
the  discontent  of  those  noble  aspirations  of  his  soul 
which  were  never  at  rest.  In  early  manhood  he  was  a 
close  student,  but  as  he  advanced  in  age  he  became 


88  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

more  and  more  absorbed  in  public  action.  As  ominous 
storms  threatened  the  common  weal,  he  found  less 
delight  in  his  library  than  in  the  stern  strife  of  the 
forum.  As  he/  prognosticated  jthe  coming  tempest  and 
comprehended  its  fearful  issue,  he  became  transformed 
in  aspect  like  one  inspired.  His  appearance  in  public 
always  commanded  prompt  and  profound  attention ;  he 
both  awed  and  delighted  the  multitudes  whom  his  bold 
wisdom  so  opportunely  fortified.  "Old  South,"  the 
"  Old  Court  House,"  and  the  "  Cradle  of  Liberty,"  in 
Boston,  were  familiar  with  his  eloquence,  that  resounded 
like  a  cheerful  clarion  in  "  days  that  tried  men's  souls." 
It  was  then  that  his  great  heart  and  fervid  intellect 
wrought  with  disinterested  and  noble  zeal :  his  action 
became  vehement,  and  his  eyes  flashed  with  unutterable 
fire  ;  his  voice,  distinct,  melodious,  swelling,  and  in- 
creasing in  height  and  depth  wijh  each  new  and  bolder 
sentiment,  filled,  as  with  the  palpable  presence  of  a 
deity,  the  shaking  walls.  The  listeners  became  rapt 
and  impassioned  like  the  speaker,  till  their  very  breath 
forsook  them.  He  poured  forth  a  "  flood  of  argument 
and  passion"  which  achieved  the  sublimest  earthly 
good,  and  happily  exemplified  the  description  which 
Percival  has  given  of  indignant  patriotism  expressed  in 
eloquence : 

"  Its  words 

Are  few,  but  deep  and  solemn ;  and  they  break 
Fresh  .from  the  fount  of  feeling,  and  are  full 
Of  all  fhat  passion,  which,  on  Carmel,  fired 
The  holy  prophet,  when  his  lips  were  coals, 
The  language  winged  with  terror,  as  when  bolts 


JAMES    OTIS.  89 

Leap  from  the  brooding  tempest,  armed  with  wrath, 
Commissioned  to  affright  us,  and  destroy." 

We  have  said  that  the  eloquence  of  Otis  was  bold, 
witty,  and  pungent ;  we  remark,  in  conclusion,  that  it 
was  exceedingly  practical.  The  great  body  of  the 
people  comprehend  thought  and  genius  most  easily 
under  the  emblems  of  force ;  they  are  ready  to  respect 
that  which  they  love,  and  yield  willingly  to  that  which 
impels  them ;  they  highly  appreciate  that  which  is 
heard  with  pleasure,  and  venerate  the  heart  that  has 
profoundly  moved  them.  Intellect  and  emotion  consti- 
tute the  basis  of  all  effective  speech ;  but  the  commanding 
'form,  (stentorian  /lungs,  and  flashing  eye,  are  indis- 
pensable adjuncts  to  the  popular  speaker. 

The  trait  which,  perhaps,  was  most  prominent  in  Mr. 
Otis,  wais  his  constant  and  complete  forgetfulness  of 
himself  in  the  themes  he  discussed.  He  explored  all 
the  resources  at  command,  and,  in  defending  his  posi- 
tion, became  entirely  absorbed.  While  engaged  in 
speaking,  he  appeared  to  be  absolutely  possessed  by  his 
subject,  and  thought  as  little  of  the  skijl  he  should 
display  as  an  orator,  as  he  who  is  fighting  for  his  life 
thinks  of  the  grace  he  shall  exhibit  in  the  flourish  of 
his  weapons.  Enthusiastic  sincerity  actuated  his  great 
native  powers,  and  gave  them  overwhelming  force. 
His  was  the  true  eloquence  of  nature,  the  language  of 
a  strong  mind  under  high  but  well  regulated  excitement. 
The  disenthralment  of  the  Colonies  of  America  was  the 
grand  ambition  of  his  soul ;  and  to  the  attainment  of 
this  he  subordinated  all  the  resources  he  could  com- 
mand. Freedom,  of  the  most  exalted  kind,  was  the  idol 


90  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

of  his  heart,  and,  as  he  braved  the  terrors  of  rebellion 
against  sovereign  power,  he  saw  nothing,  loved  nothing, 
with  affection  more  fixed.  In  this  consisted  his  best 
qualification  for  the  great  wosk  to  the  execution  of 
which,  under  Providence,  he  was  assigned ; 

"  For  he  whom  Heaven 
.Hath  call'd  to  be  th'  awakener  of  a  land, 
Should  have  his  soul's  affections  all  absorbed 
lu  that  majestic  purpose,  and  press  on 
To  its  fulfilment,  as  a  mountain-born 
And  mighty  stream,  with  all  its  vassal-rills, 
Sweeps  proudly  to  the  ocean,  pausing  not 
To  dally  with  the  flowers." 

Jf 

In  respect  to  physical  ability,  Otis  was  happily  en- 
dowed. One  who  knew  him  well  has  recorded,  that 
"  he  was  finely  formed,  and  had  an  intelligent  "counte- 
nance :  his  eye,  voice,  and  manner  were  very  impres- 
sive. The  elevation  of  his  mind,  aqd  the  known 
integrity  of  his  purposes,  enabled  him  to  speak  with 
decision  and  dignity,  and  commanded  the  respect  as 
well  as  the  admiration  of  his  audience.  His  eloquence 
showed  but  little  imagination,  yet  it  was  instinct  with  the 
fire  of  passion."  It  may  be  not  unjustly  said  of  Otis," as 
of  Judge  Marshall,  that  "  He  was  one  of  those  rare 
beings  that  seem  to  be  sent  among  men  from  time  to 
time,  to  keep  alive  our  faith  in  humanity.''  He  had  a 
wonderful  power  over  the  popular  feelings,  but  he  em- 
ployed it  only  for  great  public  benefits.  He  seems  to 
have  said  to  himself,  in  the  language  of  the  great  master 
of  the  maxims  of  life  and  conduct : 


JAMES    OTIS..  91 

"  This  above  all, — to  thine  own  self  be  true, 
And  it  must  follow,  as  the  night  the  day, 
Thou  canst  not  then  be  false  to  any  man." 

Otis  was  just  the  peffon  to  kindle  a  conflagration  ; 
to  set  a  continent  on  fire  by  the  power  of  speech. 
When  heard  on  exciting  local  topics,  deep  feeling, 
iindred  to  the  sentiments  of  the  orator,  opened  each 
heart  and  soul  to  the  stream  of  his  burning  thoughts. 
Assembled  multitudes  love  that  which  dazzles  them, 
which  moves,  strikes,  and  enchains  them.  In  the 
best  orations  of  the  ancients,  we  find  not  a  multi- 
plicity of  ideas,  but  those  which  are  the  most  pertinent, 
and  the  strongest  possible;  by  the  first  blows  struck 
ignition  is  produced,  and  the  flame  is  kept  blazing  with 
increased  brilliancy  and  power,  until  guilt  stands  re- 
vealed in  terror,  and  tyranny  flies  aghast.  It  is  indeed 
true,  as  an  American  poet  has  said, 

"  Few 

The  spirits  who  originate  and  bend 
All  meaner  hearts  to  wonder  and  obey, 
As  if  their  look  were  death,  their  word  were  fate;" 

but  Otis  was  certainly  one  of  this  rare  class. 

His  eloquence,  like  that  of  his  distinguished  successors, 
was  marked  by  a  striking  individuality.  It  did  not 
partake  largely  of  the  placid  firmness  of  Samuel  Adams  ; 
or  of  the  intense  brilliancy  and  exquisite  taste  of  the 
younger  Quincy  ;  or  the  subdued  and  elaborate  beauty 
of  Lee  ;  or  the  philosophical  depth  of  John  Adams  ;  or 
the  rugged  and  overwhelming  energy  of  Patrick  Henry ; 
though  he  most  of  all  Americans,  resembled  the  latter. 


92  ORATORS    OF    T|(f    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

Compared  with  English  orators,  our  great  country- 
man was  not  unlike  (Sheridan \  in  natural  endowment. 
Like  him,  he  was  unequalled  in  impassioned  appeals 
to  the  general  heart  of  manMnd.  He  swayed  all  by 
his  electric  £re;  charmed  the  timid,  and  inspired 
the  weak;  subdued  the  haughty,  and  enthralled  the 
prejudiced.  He  traversed  the  field  of  argument  and 
invective  as  a  Scythian  warrior  scours  the  plain,  shoot- 
ing most  deadly  arrows  when  at  the  greatest  speed. 
He  rushed  into  forensic  battle,  fearless  of  all  conse- 
quences; and  as  the  ancient  war-chariot  would  some- 
times set  its  axle  on  fire  by  the  rapidity  of  its  own 
movement,  so  would  the  ardent  soul  of  Otis  become 
ignited  and  fulminate  with  thought,  as  he  swept 
irresistibly  to  the  goal.  When  aroused  by  some  great 
crisis,  his  eloquent  words  were  like  bolts  of  granite 
heated  in  a  volcano,  and  shot  forth  with  unerring  aim, 
crashing  where  they  fell. 

No  patriot  was  ever  more  heartily  devoted  to  the 
welfare  of  his  country,  nor  more  practical  in  his  public 
toils,  than  was  James  Otis.  Taking  into  consideration 
the  times  in  which  he  appeared,  and  the  sublime  results 
that  have  flowed  from  the  influence  he  exerted,  the 
following  language  of  President  Adams  seems  appro- 
priate and  just.  "  I  have  been  young,  and  now  am  old, 
and  I  solemnly  say,  I  have  never  known  a  man  whose 
love  of  his  country  was  more  ardent  or  sincere  ;  never 
one  who  suffered  so  much ;  never  one,  whose  services 
for  any  ten  years  of  his  life,  were  so  important  and 
essential  to  the  cause  of  his  country,  as  those  of  Mr. 
Otis,  from  1760  to  1770." 


JAMES    OTISk*  93 

Mr.  Otis  suffered  much  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life 
from  the  gloomy  effects  produced  by  Robinson's  brutal 
assault.  He  lived  retired  in  the  country  in  the  most 
simple  and  quiet  manner-  In  the  lucid  intervals  of  his 
mind  he  conducted  some  legal  business,  and  habitually 
devoted  himself  to  literary  and  religioufc  cultivation. 
In  1782,  his  grandson,  the  distinguished  living  repre- 
sentative of  the  family,  Harrison  Gray  Otis,  brought 
the  venerable  patriot  from  Andover  on  a  visit  to  Boston. 
There  he  received  great  attention  from  his  old  friends, 
an'd  especially  from  Governor  Hancock.  What  a  scene 
must  this  have  been  to  the  great  pioneer  of  the  Revo- 
lution !  What  exciting,  but  hallowed  recollections 
must  have  rushed  on  his  mind,  as  in  the  midst  of  a  free 
and  mighty  people,  and  encompassed  by  his  old  com- 
rades whose  youth  he  had  inspired  and  whose  action 
he  had  guided,  he  sat  down,  the  patriarch  of  freedom 
at  the  festive  board  of  honor  and  wealth  !  But  the 
exhilaration  was  too  much  for  his  shattered  nerves  and 
agitated  mind.  He  was  immediately  advised  by  his 
brother  and  grandson  to  return  to  the  quiet  of  rural 
life  again,  which  he  did  with  the  gentleness  of  a 
child. 

Six  weeks  after  -his  return  to  Andover,  his  end 
came  in  a  manner  as  remarkable  as  had  been  his 
career.  When  first  emerging  from  insanity,  he  had 
said  to  his  sister,  Mrs.  Warren,  "  my  dear  sister,  I  hope 
when  God  Almighty,  in  his  righteous  providence,  shall 
take  me  out  of  time  into  eternity,  that  it  will  be  by  a 
flash  of  lightning ;"  and  this  desire  he  often  repeated. 
On  the  23d  of  May,  1783,  a  heavy  cloud  suddenly 


V 

94  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

arose.  Otis,  calm  and  sound  in  mind,  stood  leaning  on 
his  cane  in  the  front  door  of  the  house  where  he  resided. 
A  single  flash  glared  on  the  family  assembled  near,  and 
Mr.  Otis  fell  instantaneously  dead  in  the  arms  of  Mr. 
Osgood,  whojprang  forward  as  he  saw  him  sink.  The 
body  was  ferought  to  Boston,  and  his  funeral  was 
attended  by  one  of  the  most  numerous  processions  ever 
seen  in  New  England. 

Peace  had  just  been  concluded.  '  The  great  battle  of 
the  Revolution  had  been  fought  and  won,  when  the 
great  mind  which  had  incurred  the  most  fearful  affliction 
in  the  early  strife,  permitted  at  length  to  gaze  in  placid 
joy  on  the  glorious  result,  was  then  by  a  bright  bolt 
snatched  to  Heaven  without  a  pang. 

A  cotemporary  poet  wrote  a  commemorative  ode, 
which  closed  as  follows : 

"Yes!  when  the  glorious  work  which  he  begun, 
Shall  stand  the  most  complete  beneath  the  sun  ; 
When  peace  shall  come  to  crown  the  grand  design, 
His  eyes  shall  live  to  see  the  work  divine — 
The  heavens  shall  then  his  generous  '  spirit  claim, 
In  storms  as  loud  as  his  immortal  fame' — 
Hark,  the  deep  thunders  echo  round  the  skies! 
On  wings  of  flame  the  eternal  errand  flies. 
One  chosen,  charitable  bolt  is  sped — 
And  Otis  mingles  with  the  glorious  dead."   £>\ 


* 

CHAPTER    III. 


SAMUEL    ADAMS, 

.jp     '  •'  *'<L 

LAST  OF  THE  PURITANS. 

* 

ONE  of  the  brightest  and  most  prominent  traits  in  the 
early  history  of  our  country,  is  presented  in  the  exalted 
moral  worth  of  many  of  the  leading  patriots.  It  is  a 
feature  delightful  to  contemplate,  and  one  that  accounts 
for  whatever  is  worthy  and  stable  in  our  free  institu- 
tions. If  our  principal  men  are  not  men  of  principle,  it 
is  vain  10  look  for  enduring  excellence  in  the  works  they 
execute.  Burke  sagaciously  remarked,  "  I  never  knew 
a  man  who  was  bad,  fit  for  service  that  was  good. 
There  is  always  some  disqualifying  ingredient,  mixing 
and  spoiling  the  compound.  The  man  seems  paralytic 
on  that  side,  his  muscles  there  have  lost  their  very  tone 
and  character — they  cannot  move.  In  short,  the  ac- 
complishment of  any  thing  good  is  a  physical  impossi- 
bility for  such  a  man.  There  is  decrepitude  as  well  as 
distortion — he  could  not,  if  he  would,  is  not  more  cer- 
tain than  he  would  not,  if  he  could." 

The  late  George  Canning,  himself  a  happy  example  of 
the  association  of  private  morality  and  political  emi- 
nence, in  an  early  literary  work,  enforced  the  necessity 

™ 


96  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

of  personal  purity,  as  illustrative  of  public  character, 
with  a  vigor  of  thought  and  elegance  of  diction  peculiar 
to  himself.  He  first  quotes  the  following  remark  from 
an  illustrious  master  of  ancient  eloquence  :  "  It  is  impos- 
sible that  the  unnatural  father,  the  hater  of  his  own 
blood,  should  be  an  able  and  faithful  leader  of  his  coun- 

"  9 

try ;  that  the  mind  which  is  insensible  to  the  intimate  and 
touching  influence  of  domestic  affection,  should  be  alive 
to  the  remoter  influence  of  patriotic  feeling ;  that  pri- 
vate depravity  should  consist  with  public  virtue."  "  The 
sentiment  is  here  expressed,"  says  Canning,  "  with  all  the 
vehemence  of  a  p'olitical  chief,  conscious  of  the  amiable- . 
ness  of  his  own  domestic  life,  and  inveighing*  against  a 
rival  too  Strong  in  most  points  to  be  spared  when  he 
was  found  weak.  It  has,  however,  a  foundation  of  truth, 
and  may  suggest  the  advantages  resulting  from  the 
blended  species  of  biography  of  which  we  have  spoken. 
Even  in  the  anomalous  cases  where  no  correspondence, 
or  no  close  correspondence,  can  be  traced  between  the 
more  retired  and  the  more  conspicuous  features  of  a 
character,  ti  comparative  exhibition  of  the  two  has  its 
use,  and  will  furnish  the  philosopher  with  many  interest- 
ing themes  of  reflection.  The  chief  use,  however,  of 
such  an  exhibition  resides  in  the  rule  arid  not  in  the  ex- 
ceptions, and  belongs  not  to'  the  speculative  few,  but  to 
the  active  many.  By  associating,  in  the  view  of  man- 
kind, whatever  is  amiable,  and,  as  it  were,  feminine  in 
the  human  character,  with  whatever  in  it  is  commanding 
and  Herculean,  it  takes  advantage  of  our  veneration  for 
the  latter  to  betray  us  into  a  respect  for  the  former.  It 
gives  dignity  to  the  humbler  virtues  and  domestic  chari- 

m.  "fcl'WFJf 

«  4 


SAMUEL    ADAMS.  97 

ties  in  the  eyes  both  of  public  and  private  men,  both  of 
those  who  aspire  to  become  great,  and  of  those  whofWe 
content  to  remain  little  ;  and  thus  secures  the  vital  hite- 
rests  of  society." 

A  happy  instance  and  illustration  of  the  above  doc- 
trine is  before  the  world  in  the  life  and  character  of 

Samikl  Adam».  He  was  born  in  Boston,  on  the  27th 
of  September,  1722.  The  family  from  which  he  de- 
scended \vas  one  that  early  emigrated  to  New  England, 
and  commenced  the  settlement  of  the  Colony.  His 
father  was  a  man  of  considerable  wealth,  of  irreproach- 
able character,  a  magistrate  of  Boston,  and  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Assembly  for  many  years,  under  the  Colo- 
nial government.  Having  resolved  to  give  his  son  a 
liberal  education,  Samuel  Adams  was  placed  under  the 
instruction  of  Mr.  Lovell,  a-  celebrated  teacher  of  the 
grammar  school  in  Boston.  Under  his  supervision 
young  Adams  wras  fitted  for  admission  to  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, at  an  early  age.  He  graduated  with  honor  in 
1740,  when  only  eighteen  years  old,  and  took  his  Mas- 
ter's degree  at  twenty. 

-  When  Samuel  Adams  graduated,  John  Adams  was 
five  years  old,  and  Josiah  Quincy  and  Joseph  Warren  *  ^, 
yet  unborn.  James  Otis  was  three  years  after  Samuel 
Adams,  in  the  list  of  graduates,  and  Quincy  twenty-three 
years  after  him.  John  Adams  completed  his  college 
course  in  1755,  which  was  fifteen  years  after  the  gradu- 
ation of  Samuel.  Samuel  Adams  was  distinguished  at 
the  university  for  a  serious  and  secluded  cast  of  mind. 
He  at  first  designed  to  devote  himself  to  the  Gospel 
ministry,  but  read  comprehensively,  especially  in 

* 


98  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

history.  The  severe  writers  of  Greek  and  Roman  an- 
nals were  his  favorite  authors ;  but  Divinity  was  the 
profession  he  resolved  to  live  and  die  by. 

The  year  that  Samuel  Adams  entered  Harvard,  was 
the  same  in  which  the  Earl  of  Chatham  entered  Parlia- 
ment, so  that  he  must  have  seen  the  whole  of  that  great 
statesman's  splendid  career.  But  the  .greatnesf  he  saw 
from  afar  and  emulated,  neither  crippled  the  expansion 
of  his  own  free  faculties  nor  created  fear  in  his  breast. 
He  was  early  distinguished  for  great  assiduity  in  study, 
and  promptness  in  the  performance  of  collegiate  duties. 
He  was  equally  remarkable  for  the  uprightness  of  his 
demeanor  and  the  frugality  of  his  habits.  From  the 
stipend  allowed  him*  by  his  father,  he  saved  a  sum  suffi- 
cient to  publish  an  original  pamphlet,  entitled  "  English- 
men's Rights."  When  he  took  his  second  degree,  the 
thesis  he  discussed  was,  "Whether  it  be  lawful  to  resist 
the  SUPREME  MAGISTRATE,  if  the  Commonwealth  cannot 
be  otherwise  preserved?"  This  he  affirmed  and  main- 
tained with  great  force,  in  the  presence  of  the  king's 
Governor  and  his  Council,  in  the  reign  of  George  the 
Second,  while  Sir  Robert  Walpole  was  Prime  Minister, 
and  these  Colonies  were  not  only  at  peace  but  exceedingly 
loyal  to  England.  But  in  that  young  bosom  lay  the  ele- 
ments of  glorious  rebellion,  and  in  the  question  he  dis- 
cussed in  1740,  lay  the  whole  history  of  the  war  of  In- 
dependence, which  dates  from  1776. 

Samuel  Adams  must  be  regarded  as  the  great  leader 
of  our  Revolution.  As  such  he  was  regarded  beyond 
the  Atlantic,  where  his  real  character  seems  to  have 
been  better  understood  than  at  home.  Mr.  Adolphus, 


SAMUEL    ADAMS.  99 

in  the  second  volume  of  the  history  of  England,  speaks 
of  him  thus  :  "  Samuel  Adams,  a  distinguished  leader  of 
the  American  councils-,  noted  for  subtlety,  perseverance 
and  inflexibility,  boasted  in  all  companies,  that  he  had 
toiled  twenty  years  to  accomplish  the  measure  of  Inde- 
pendence. During  that  time  he  had  carried  his  art  and 
industry  so  far,  as  to  search  after  every  rising  genius  in 
the  New  England  seminaries,  employed  his  utmost  abili- 
ties to  fix  in  their  minds  the  principles  of  American  In- 
dependency, and  now  triumphed  in  his  suecess."  A 
learned  commentator  on  this  authority,  who  thoroughly 
understood  the  character  of  Samuel  Adams,  asserted 
that  he  was  "  no  boaster,  but  a  polite  gentleman  of  mo- 
dest carriage." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  William  Gordon,  another  Englishman, 
who  resided  a  number  of  years  near  Boston,  as  a  parish 
minister,  says  in  his  fourth  Letter  on  the  history  of  those 
times,  "that  Samuel  Adams  became  a  member  of  the 
legislature  in  September,  1765;  that  he  was  zealously 
attached  to  the  rights  of  Massachusetts  in  particular, 
and  the  colonies  in  general,  and  but  little  to  his  own 
personal  interest ;  that  he  was  well  qualified  to  second 
Mr.  Otis,  and  learned  in  time  to  serve  his  own  political 
views  by  the  influence  of  the  other  ;  that  he  was  soon 
noticed  by  the  House,  chosen  and  continued  their  clerk 
from  year  to  year,  by  which  means  he  had  the  custody 
of  their  papers  ;  and  of  these  he  knew  how  to  make  an 
advantage  for  political  purposes.  He  was  frequently 
upon  important  committees,  and  acquired  great  ascen- 
dency by  discovering  a  readiness  to  acquiesce  in  the 
proposals  and  amendments  of  others,  "while  the  end 


100  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

aimed  at  by  them  did  not  eventually  frustrate  his  lead- 
ing designs.  He  showed  a  pliableness  and  complaisance 
in-  these,  smaller  matters  which  enabled  him,  in  the  issue, 
to  carry  those  of  much  greater  consequence  ;  and  there 
were,"  says  the  historian,  "  many  favorite  points,  which 
the  '  sons  of  liberty'  in  Massachusetts  meant  to  carry, 
even  though  the  Stamp-Act  should  be  repealed" 

Thomas,  Jefferson,  in  a  letter  to  the  grandson  of  Sa- 
muel Adams,  said :  "  He  was  truly  a  great  man,  wise  in 
council,  fertile  in  resources,  immovable  in  his  purposes ; 
and  had,  I  think,  a  greater  share  than  any  other  member 
of  Congress,  in  advising  and  directing  our  measures^  in 
the  northern  war.  As  a  speaker  he  could  not  be  com- 
pared with  his  living  colleague  and  namesake,  whose 
deep  conceptions,  nervous  style  and  undaunted  firmness, 
made  him  truly  our  bulwark  frr  debate.  But  Samuel 
Adams,  although  not  of  fluent  elocution,  was  so  rigor- 
ously logical,  so  clear  in  views,  abundant  in  sense,  and 
master  always  of  his  subject,  that  he"  commanded  the 
most  profound  attention  whenever  he  rose  in  an  assem- 
bly, where  the  froth  of  declamation  was  heard  with  the 
most  sovereign  contempt." 

Again,  in  a  letter  written  by  the  same  renowned  pa- 
triot to  Dr.  Waterhouse,  he  says  : 

"  Dear  Sir — Your  letter  of  the  15th  was  received  on 
the  27th,  and  I  am  glad  to  find  the  name  and  character 
of  Samuel  Adams  coming  forward,  and  in  so  good  hands 
as  I  suppose  them  to  be.  I  was  the  youngest  man  but 
one  in  the  old  Congress,  and  he  the  oldest  but  one,  as  I 
believe.  His  only  senior,  I  suppose,  was  Stephen  Hop- 


SAMUEL    ADAMS.  101 

^ 

kins,  of  and  by  whom  the  honorable  mention  made  in 
your  letter  was  richly  merited. 

"  Although  my  high  reverence  for  Samuel  Adams  was 
returned  by  habitual  notices  from  him,  which  highly  flat- 
tered me,  yet*  the  disparity  of  age  prevented  .intimate 
and  confidential  communications.  I  always  considered 
him,  more  than  any  other  member,  the  fountain  of  our 
important  measures;  and  although  he  was  neither 
an  eloquent  nor  easy  speaker,  whatever  he  said  was 
sound,  and  commanded  the  profound  attention  of  the 
House.. 

"  In,  the  discussions  on  the  floor  of  Congress,  he  re- 
posed himself  on  our  main  pillar  in  debate,  Mr.  John 
Adams.  These  two  gentlemen  were,  verily  a  host  in  our 
councils.  -  Comparisons  with  their  associates,  northern 
or  southern,  would  answer  no  profitable  purpose ;  but 
they  would  suffer  by  comparison  with  none." 

It  will  be*  unnecessary  to  cite  further  cotemporary 
authorities,  touching  the  general  outlines  of  Samuel 
Adams'  character*  The  idea  of  the  Independence  of 
the  Colonies  was  doubtless  more  or  less  cherished  from 
the  beginning,  but  he  was  the  first  man  who  embodied, 
and,  with  extraordinary  tact  and  effect,  diffused  that 
doctrine  from  North  to  South,  until  it  became  in  '76  the 
vital  principle  of  our  constitution.  Many  years  before 
ordinary  minds  dared  to  hope  for  such  a  consummation, 
Gordon  wrote  in  his  history,  that  "  Mr.  Samuel  Adams 
long  since  said,  in  small,  confidential  companies,  '  This 
country  shall  be  independent,  and.  we  will  be  satisfied  with 
nothing  short  of  it.' "  t 

In  turning  now  to  a  more  specific  analysis  of  the 


102          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

mental  structure  of  this  great  patriot,  with  an  effort  to 
estimate  the  value  of  his  public  services,  it  is  proposed 
to  consider  the  influence  of  his  pen,  his  tongue  and  his 
example. 

First,  let  us  glance  at  what  he  achieved  with  his  pen. 
We  have  seen  that  he  accustomed  himself  to  political 
writing  while  at  college.  He  was  favorably  known  as 
a  polemic,  during  the  administration  of  Governor  Shir- 
ley, whom  he  opposed  on  the  ground  of  his  exercise  both 
of  the  <;ivil  and  military  power.  When  the  intelligence 
reached  Boston,  in  1763,  of  a  design  to  tax  the  Colo- 
nies, and  place  the  revenue  at  the  disposal  of  Parliament, 
Adams  promptly  opposed  the  measure.  At  that  period, 
when  the  town  met  to  choose  their  representatives  to 
the  General  Assembly,  it  was  the  custom  to  instruct 
them  respecting  their  legislative  duties.  Soon  after  the 
ominous  news  arrived,  the  people  elected  Mr.  Adams  to 
draw  up  appropriate  instructions.  The  document  is  yet 
extant  in  his  own  hand-writing ;  and  in  that  manuscript 
is  found  the  first  public  denial  of  the  right  of  the  British 
Parliament  to  tax  the  Colonies  without  their  consent — 
the  first  denial  of  parliamentary  supremacy — and  the 
first  public  suggestion  of  an  union  on  the  part  of  the 
Colonies,  to  protect  themselves  against  British  aggres- 
sion. 

Samuel  Adams  possessed  a  calm,  solid,  and  yet  po- 
lished mind.  There  is  a  wonderful  lucidness  in  his 
thought  tmd  phraseology  ;  every  thing  about  his  compo- 
sition is  plain,  forcible,  and  level  to  the  simplesrcompre- 
hension.  Above  all  the  men  of  his  day,  he  was  distin- 
guished for  sound  practical  judgment.  All  prominent 


8AMUEL    ADAMS.  103 

statesmen  looked  to  him  for  counsel.  He  aided  Otis  in 
preparing  state  papers ;  and  a  direction  to  the  printers, 
attached  to  some  of  Josiah  Quincy's  manuscripts,  reads 
— "  Let  Samuel  Adams,  Esq.,  correct  the  press.'"  In 
fact  there  were  few,  if  any,  important  documents  pub- 
lished between  1764  and  1769,  in  Boston,  that  were  not 
revised  by  the  cool  and  solid  judgment  of  the  New  Eng- 
land Phocion. 

The  idea  of  assembling  the  first  Congress  not  only 
originated  with  him,  but  he  early  became  a  conspicuous 
delegate  in  that  body.  He  was  placed  upon  every  im- 
portant committee,  wrote  or  revised  every  report,  and 
had  a  hand  in  every  measure  designed  to  counteract 
foreign  tyranny.  The  people  of  America  soon  recog- 
nized in  him  one  of  their  most  efficient  supporters,  and 
the  government  in  England  openly  proclaimed  him  one 
of  the  most  inveterate  of  their  opponents. 

Samuel  Adams  possessed  various  instrumentalities  for 
promoting  political  and  moral  designs,  and  not  the  least 
among  them  was  his  versatile  and  potent  pen.  He  is 
said  to  have  wielded  thai;  almost  omnipotent  engine,  a 
free  press,  with  the  irresistible  arm  of  a  giant.  Clear 
and  cogent  paragraphs,  scattered  about  in  newspapers, 
stung  the  popular  mind  to  the  quick  ;  while  more  elabo- 
rate essays,  like  those  of  Junius,  convinced  and  im- 
pelled leading  men,  and  prompted  all  classes  to  execute 
the  purposes  at  which  the  great  patriot  aimed. 

In  the  second  place,  his  living  eloquence  was  a  pow- 
erful auxiliary  to  the  popular  cause.  But  of  this  orator, 
as  of  James  Otis,  there  are  but  few  written  remains. 
The  patriots  of  those  times  acted,  wrote  and  spake,  as 


104  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 


though  they  felt  deeply  that  tf^Jf  were  bora  for  their 
country  and  for  mankind.  They  were  evidently  more 
intent  in  laying  the  foundation  of  great  institutions  for 
the  benefit  of  posterity,  than  in  recording  transient  me- 
morials of  themselves. 

Several  traits  in  the,  eloquence  of  Samuel  Adams  are 
worthy  of  particular  notice  ;  among  these  were  his  sa- 
gacity, his  knowledge  of  man,  his  fearlessness  of  kings, 
and  his  devotion  to  republican  liberty. 

He  commenced  his  public  .life  as  a  legislator  in  1765, 
in  the  General  Assembly,  as  a  representative  frorn  Bos- 
ton. He  very  soon  became  distinguished  in  that  body 
for  his  wisdom,  foresight,  and  ardent  support  of  popular 
rights.  His  commanding  influence  and  stern  defiance 
of  foreign  aggression,  soon  attracted  the  notice  of  the 
agents  of  Parliament.  Overtures  were  made  to  him  by 
Governor  Hutchinson,  but  they  were  .  indignantly  re- 
jected ;  and  Hutchinson,  referring  to  his  discomfiture  in 
a  letter  to  a  friend,  said  :  "  Such  is  the  obstinacy  and 
inflexible  disposition  of  the  man,  that  he  can  never  be 
conciliated  by  any  office  or  gift  whatever."  No  lan- 
guage could  express  a  higher  tribute  to  the  integrity  and 
patriotism  of  Mr.  Adams. 

During  the  angry  contention  which  lasted  for  several 
years  between  the  citizens  and  the  military  force  quar- 
tered in  Boston,  and  Avhich  came  to  the  melancholy 
issue  in  the  massacre  of  March  5th,  1770,  Samuel 
Adams,  aided  by  John  Adams,  Hancock  and  others, 
bore  a  prominent  part,  in  efforts  to  effect  their  removal 
from  the  town.  On  the  morning  after  the  outrage  was 
committed,  a  public  meeting  was  held,  and  Samuel 


ADAMS.  105 

•% 

Adams  was  placed  at  the  head  of  a  committee  to  wait 
on  the  acting  governor,  Hutchinson,  and  demand  the 
removal  of  the  troops-  Hutchinson  at  first  evaded  the 
immediate  request,  by  offering  some  frivolous  plea ;  but, 
being  told  by  Mr.  Adams  that  the  people  still  remained 
in  session,  determined  on  redress,  and  that  the  conse- 
quences o(  his  refusal  must  rest  upon  his  own  head, 
he  at  last  promised  compliance  with  their  demands. 

Not  long  after  another  occasion  occurred  when  the 
sagacious  firmness  of  this  great  moral  hero  was  called 
into  profitable  requisition.  Governor  Hutchiuson,  hav- 
ing refused  to  receive  his  salary  from  the  province,  and 
being  paid  by  the  crown,  was  made,  independent  of  the 
people,  who  saw  at  once  in  this  move  a  dangerous  in- 
novation. They  remonstrated  with  the  Governor,  but 
their  memorials  were  treated  with  indifference  and 
contempt  On  November  3d,  1772,  on  the  motion  of 
Samuel  Adams,  a  large  committee  of  citizens  were  ap- 
pointed "  to  state  the  rights  of  the  Colonists,  and  of  this 
province  in  particular,  as  men,  as  Christians,  and  as 
subjects ;  "to  -communicate  and  publish  the  same  to  the 
several  towns  in  this  province- and  to  the  world,  as  the 
sense  of  this  town,  with-  the  infringements  and  violations 
thereof,  that  have  been,  or  from  time  to  time  may  be 
made  ;  ^also  requesting  of  each  town  a  free- communica- 
tion of  their  sentiments  on  this  subject."  This  was  the 
original  committee  of  correspondence,  out  of  which  grew 
the  subsequent  union  of  the  Colonies,  and  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States. 

Governor  Gage  arrived  in.  Boston  in  May,  1774,  and 
presuming  upon  the  truth  of  a  maxim  which  originated 


106  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

among  British  politicians,  and  is  generally  believed  there, 
that  "every  man  has  his  price,"  offered  a  heavy  "con- 
sideration" through  Colonel  Fenton,  his  agent,  to  Samuel 
Adams.  But  those  minions  of  regal  power  and  rotten 
aristocracy  were  destined  to  learn,  that  there  is  such  a 
thing  as  patriotism,  which  thrones  cannot  awe  nor 
bribes  corrupt.  If  the  sturdy  patriot  was  found  to  be 
proof  against  venality  and  corruption,  then  the  agent  of 
tyrannical  arrogance  was  directed  to  threaten  him  with 
an  arrest  for  treason.  Mr.  Adams,  glowing  with  indig- 
nation at  such  attacks  upon  his  honor  and  patriotism, 
first  demanded  of  the  messenger,  Fenton,  a  solemn  pledge 
that  he  would  return  to  Gage  his  reply,  just  as  it  was 
given,  and  then  rising  in  a  firm  manner,  said,  "  I  trust 
that  I  have  long  since  made  my  peace  with  the  King  of 
kings.  No  personal  consideration  shall  induce  me  to 
abandon  the  righteous  cause  of  my  country.  Tell 
Governor  Gage,  it  is  the  advice  of  Samuel  Adams  to 
him,  no  longer  to  insult  the  feelings  of  an  exasperated 
people." 

The  Governor  having  vetoed  no  less  than  thirteen 
Councilors,  chosen  by  the  people  in  May,  1774,  and  ad- 
journed the  General  Court  to  Salem,  the  Assembly  at 
length  advised  a  Congress  of  the  Colonies  at  Philadel- 
phia, in  September.  Samuel  Adams  was  one  of  the  five 
delegates  sent  from  Massachusetts.  In  the  Continental 
Congress,  as  everywhere  else,  he  was  indefatigable  and 
earnest  in  his  labors  to  promote  the  cause  of  freedom. 
John  Adams,  in  a  magnanimous  allusion  to  Thomas 
Jefferson,  speaks  of  his  namesake  and  co-patriot  in  a 
way  illustrative  of  our  present  topic.  Jefferson,  said  he, 


SAMUEL    ADAMS.       .")•  107 

** 

"  though  a  silent  member,  he  was  so  prompt,  frank,  ex- 
plicit, and  decisive  upon  committees — not  even  SAMUEL 
ADAMS  was  more  so — that  he  soon  seized  my  heart." 
Indeed,  all  cotemporary  proof  goes  to  show  that  in  the 
committees  of  Congress,  and  in  the  associations  of  the 
"Sons  of  Liberty,"  at  Boston,  he  was  the  soul  of  their 
movements. 

Another  peculiarity  of  Samuel  Adams  was,  his  pro- 
found and  accurate  acquaintance  with  the  nature  of 
man.  He  had  studied  its  secret  springs,  and  could 
move  them  at  pleasure.  He  knew  that  the  human 
heart  is  like  the  earth.  "  You  may  sow  it,  and  plant  it, 
and  build  upon  it  in  all  manner  of  forms ;  but  the  earth, 
however  cultivated  by  man,  continues  none  the  less 
spontaneously  to  produce  its  verdures,  its  wild  flowers, 
and  all  varieties  of  natural  fruits."  The  spade  and  the 
plough  trouble  not  the  profounder  depths  where  innu- 
merable germs  are  hid.  The  identity  of  this  planet  on 
which  we  live  is  net  more  perpetual  than  that  of  human 
nature.  Its  latent  impulses  we  must  know.  Its  sponta- 
neous productions  we  must  learn  to  employ,  if  we  would 
toil  among  mankind  with  success. 

One  or  two  instances  will  suffice  to  ilhistrate  Mr. 
Adams'  skill  in  dealing  with  mankind.  A  great  "town- 
meeting"  was  held  in  Faneuil  Hall,  to  form  an  associa- 
tion against  the  importation  of  goods  into  Boston  from 
Britain,  -until  certain  grievances  were  redressed.  That 
the  leaders  in  this  business  contemplated  a  limited  time 
is  evident  from  the  fact  that  at  a  subsequent  period,  both 
Samuel  and  John  Adams  opposed,  in  Congress,  the  non- 
importation scheme,  lest  the  country  should  be  exhaust- 


1-08  ORATORS    OF  THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

ed  of  certain  necessary  Articles  when  they  came  i$  fight. 
The  object  proposed  to  the  aforesaid  popular  meeting  ki 
Faneuil  Hall  was  received  by  general  acclamation.  But 
a  Mf.  Me ->,  a  Scotchman  and  large  importer,  refus- 
ed to  join  the  association.  The-  Scotch  were  uncom- 
monly loyal  to  George  the  -Third,  and  are  usuaUy  not 
very  slow  to  look  after  their  own  interests.  Some  were 
wroth  that  this  citizen  refused  to  sign  the  non-importation 
agreement;  but  angry  words  were  by  no  means  en- 
couraged by  Mr.  Adams,  for  the  suavtier  in  modo  was-  a 
prominent  trait  in  his  energetic  -character.  The  com- 
mittee from  the  meeting  who  had  been  directed  to  call 
on  the  stubborn  Scotchman,  a*id  who  had  been  repelled 
by  him,  w.ere  directed  to  call  on  the  recusant  again ; 
they  returned  with  the  same  answer ;  when  Kr.  Adams 
.arose  and  moved,  that  the  meeting  (about  two  thousand 
persons)  should  resolve  itself  into  a  committee  of  the 

whole  house,"  and  wait  upon  Mr.  Me ,  at  the  close  of 

the  meeting,,  to.  urge  his  compliance  with  the  general 
wish ;  which  being  agreed  to  without  a  dissenting  voice, 
they  proceeded  to  transact  the  business  before  them. 
The  sagacious  patriot  knew  that  the  individual  in  ques- 
tion had  personal  friends  in  the  .meeting,  some  of  whom 
immediately  slipped  aw'ay  to  inform  him,  that  the  whole 
body  would,  as  a  committee,  .wait  upon  him  at  the  close 
of  the  meeting.  The  result  was;  as  Mr.  Adams  antici- 
pated. In  the  midst  of  their  deliberations  on  other 
subjects,  in  rushed  Mr.  Me- ,  all  in  a  foam,  and  bow- 
ing to  the  chairman  and  to  Mr.  Adams,  told  them,  that 
he  was  ready  and  .willing  to  put  his  name  to  the  non- 
importation pledge.  .  Mr.  Adams  pointed  to  a  seat  near 


SAMUEL   ADAMS.  109 

him,  with  a  polite,  condescending  bow  of  protection  in 
the  presence  of  the  people,  which  quieted  the  alarm  of 
the  discreet  Scotchman,  who  was  struck  with  dread  at 
the  idea  of  two  thousand  people  presenting  themselves 
before  his  duelling,  and  hastened  to.  avert  sucfi  threat- 
ening honors. 

Another  sagacious  movement  on  the  part  of  Samuel 
Adams,  and  one  of  the  most  profitable  deeds  of  his 
patriotic  life,  was  his  enlisting  the  very  rich  and  accom- 
plished John  Hancock  in  the  popular  cause.  The  means 
of  accomplishing  this  have  never  transpired,  but  as  to 
the  author  of  the  achievement  there  is  no  doubt.  The 
cause  of  freedom  throughout  the  world  is  greatly  indebt- 
ed to  both  men.  One  gave  to  it-his  great  mind,  and  the 
other  his  splendid  fortune  ;  one  obtained  cotemporary 
fame,  the  other,  like  all  heroes  of  the  highest  order,  re- 
posed on  posterity.  But  it  is  easy  to  suppose  that  the 
watchful  and  diligent  votary  of  liberty  felt  no  little  com- 
placency in  winning  so  potent  an  auxiliary  to  the  cause 
he  most  dearly  loved.  One  day  John  and  Samuel 
Adams  were  walking  in  the  Boston  Mall,  and  when 
they  came  opposite  the  stately  mansion  of  Mr.  Hancock, 
the  latter  turning  to  the  former,  said,. with  emphasis,  "I 
have  done  a  very  good  thing  for  our  cause  in  the  course 
of  the  past  week,  by  enlisting  the  master  of  that  house  in 
it.  ^e  is  well  disposed  and  has  great  jiches,  and  we 
can  give  him  consequence  to  enjoy  them."  And  Mr- 
Hancock  did  not  disappoint  his  expectations ;  for  when 
they  gave  him  the  "  consequence,"  so  genial  to  his  nature, 
by  making  -him  President  of  Congress,  he  put  everything 
at  stake,  in  opposition  to  British  encroachments. 


* 

110  ORATOR3    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

In  the  third  place,  Samuel  Adams  was  fearless  of  all 
combinations  of  human  power.  Pure  and  exalted  pa- 
triotism was  the  boldest  feature  in  his  character.  The 
freedom  and  prosperity  of  his  country ;  the  union  of  all 
her  sons  in  a  common  and  national  fraternky;  and  the 
advancement  of  moral  truth,  harmony,  and  virtue,  were 
the  grand  objects  of  his  unremitted  pursuit.  It  may  be 
said  of  him,  as  Justice  Story  said  of  Bushrod  Washing- 
ton, "Few  men  have  possessed  higher  qualifications, 
either  natural  or  acquired.  His  mind  was  solid,  rather 
than  brilliant;  sagacious  and  searching,  rather  than 
quick  or  eager ;  slow,  but  not  torpid ;  steady,  but  not 
unyielding;  comprehensive,  and  at  the  same  time  cau- 
tious ;  patient  in  inquiry,  forcible  in  conception,  clear  in 
reasoning.  He  was,  by  original  temperament,  mild, 
conciliating,  and  candid  ;  and  yet  he  was  remarkable  for 
an  uncompromising  firmness.  Of  him  it  may  be  truly 
said,  that  the  fear  of  man  never  fell  upon  him ;  it  never 
entered  into  his  thoughts,  much  less  was  it  seen  in  his 
actions.  In  him  the  love  of  justice  was  the  ruling  pas- 
sion; it  was  the  main-spring  of  all  his  conduct.  He 
made  it  a  matter  of  conscience  to  discharge  every  duty 
with  scrupulous  fidelity  and  scrupulous  zeal." 

The  propriety  of  applying  the  above  remarks  to 
Samuel  Adams  will  be  confirmed  by  adducing  the  fol- 
lowing emergency  and  the  sentiments  it  occasioned. 
When  Mr.  Galloway  and  a  few  of  his  timid  adherents 
were  for  entering  their  protest  in  Congress  against  an 
open  rupture  with  Britain,  Samuel  Adams,  rising  slowly 
from  his  seat,  said,  "  I  should  advise  persisting  in  our 
struggle  for  liberty,  though  it  were  revealed  from  Hea- 


SAMUEL    ADAMS.  Ill 

ven  that  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  were  to  perish, 
and  only  one  freeman  of  a  thousand  survive  and  retain 
his  liberty.  That  one  freeman  must  possess  more  virtue 
and  enjoy  more  happiness,  than  a  thousand  slaves  :  let 
him  propagate  his  like,  and  transmit  to  them  what  he 
had  so  nobly  preserved." 

This  quotation  leads  us  to  consider  yet  more  definite- 
ly Mr.  Adams'  love  of  liberty,  and  the  peculiarity- of  his 
eloquence. 

When,  on  the  morning  of  April  19th,  1775,  the  vol- 
leys of  fire-arms  from  the  British  troops  at  Lexington, 
announced  to  him  and  his  companions,  that  the  great 
battle  for  freedom  had  begun,  he  threw  up  his  arms,  and 
exclaimed,  in  a  voice  of  patriotic  rapture,  "Oh !  what  a 
glorious  morning  is  this '" 

Five  days  before  the  battie  of  Bunker  Hill,  Governor 
Gage  proclaimed  pardon  to  all  who  should  lay  down 
their  arms,  excepting  Samuel  Adams  and  John  Hancock. 
Being  thus  signalized  by  superior  hate  only  increased 
their  popularity  with  the  people,  in  the  support  of  whose 
dearest  interests  they  had  put  every  thing  at  stake  and 
incurred  royal  vengeance. 

The  exasperation  of  Gage  against  Samuel  Adams  in 
particular,  had  been  augmented  by  the  bold  and  effective 
measures  taken  by  the  latter  in  the  assembly  at  Salem. 
It  was  by  him  and  there  that  a  Continental  Congress 
at  Philadelphia  was  proposed,  at  a  time  when  the  popu- 
lar mind  was  not  maturely  decided  as  to  the  exped- 
iency of  the  measure,  and  contrary  to  the  hopes  of 
British  emissaries  a  majority  was  obtained  to  act  with 
him.  Moreover,  in  secret  session,  the  five  dele- 


ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

to  that  Congress  were/ elected,  »otwrthstanding  the 
governor  issued  his  official*  injunction  against  the  pro- 
ceedingst  la  this  movement  of  the  liberty  party,  the 
authorky  of  the.  governor  was  set  at  defiance,  and  the 
doors  were  bolted  against  his  entrance.  His  secretary, 
armed  with  a  commission  to  dissolve  the  assembly,  was 
obligedTx> sustain  his  dignity  on  thesteps  outside,  while  the 
key  of  the  hall  door  reposed  in  Samuel  Adams'  pocket. 

Mr.  Adams  took  his  seat  in  the  first  Continental  •Con- 
gress, on  the  5th  of  September,  1774,  and  continued  a*i 
active  and  effective  member  of  that  great  national  as- 
sembly until  1781,  exemplifying  wisdom  seldom  equalled, 
and  an  enthusiasm  for  freedom  never  excelled.  "On  the 
8th  of  May,  1776,  while  Congress  was  in  session  at 
Philadelphia,  the  sound  of  heavy  artillery  was  heard 
dqwn  the  Delaware.  It  was  known  to  proceed  from 
gun-boats  that  had  been,  sent  to  protect  the  river  from 
British  cruisers.  Hitherto  no  sound  of  actual  war  had 
reached  that  section  ofxountry,  whose  inhabitants  were 
conscientiously  more  pacific  in  their  tone  thaa  suited 
the  ardor  and-  exasperation  of  New  England.  As  the 
sound  of  the  first  gun  burst  upon  the.  ear  of  Congress, 
Samuel  Adams  sprang  upon  his  feet,  and  cried  out.with 
Exultation,  to  the  infinite  astonishment  of  a  few  timid 
members,  "  Thank  God !  the  game's  begun — none  can 
stop  it  now."  In  that  hall  he  pjit  his  name  to  the  De- 
ola^ation  of  Independence,  and  he  never  ceased  his 
efforts  till  the  victory  was  won. 

As  an  orator  Samuel  Adams  was  peculiarly  fitted 
for  the  times  £>n  which  he  had  fallen.  His- eloquence 
was  characteristic  of  its  author,  full  of  massive  simpli- 


SAMUEL    ADAMS.  113 

city  and  pungent  common  sense.  His  ideas  were 
plain,  pertinent,  and  forcible;  comprehended  by  all  with 
ease,  and  long  remembered  for  thejr  pith  and  point. 
He  moved  much  among  the  masses  of  mankind,  and 
knew  how  to  sway  their  thoughts.  This  apostle  of 
liberty,  like  the  heralds  of  salvation,  began  first  to 
preach  to  $ie  common  people,  and.  ultimately  attained 
an  influence  that  made  despots  tremble  on  their  thrpnes. 

One  great  secret  of  the  power  of  his  popular  address, 
probably,  lay  in  the  unity  of  his  purpose  and  the  energy 
of  his  pursuit.  He  passionately  loved  freedom,  and 
subordinated  every  thing  to  its  attainment.  This  kind 
of  inspiration  is  a  necessary  pre-requisite  to  eminent 
success. 

Samuel  Adams  had  mofe  logic  in-  his  composition 
than  rhetoric,  and  was.  accustomed  to  convince  the 
judgment  rather  than  inflame  the  passions ;  and,  yet, 
when  the  occasion  demanded,  he  could  give  vent  to  the 
ardent  and  patriotic  indignation  of  which  his  heart  was 
often  full.  fc 

His  education  was.  substantial  and  thorough;  his 
reading  and  observation  comprehensive  and  exact 
The  principal  decorative  element  in  Jjis  mental  culture 
was  music,  of  which  he  was  a  proficient  and  devoted 
admirer.  Like  Milton,  whom  he  resembled  in  many 
points,  stern  and  rugged  in  general  character,  he  could 
"feel  music's  pulse  in  all  his  arteries,"  and  was  accus- 
tomed to  turn  away  fr.om  exhausting  struggles  for 
human  weal  and  seek  solace  in  the  luxury  of  sweet 
sounds.  In  him  there  was  a  happy  blending  of  strength 
and  beauty  of  the  highest  kind.  He  was  not  eloquent 


114          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

in  the  ordinary  sense  of  the  term,  as  his  speech  had 
more  of  substance  tha'n  show.  His  deductions  were 
clear,  cogent,  and  to  the  purpose ;  his  language  was  chaste, 
luminous,  and  pointed;  his  fluency  seldom  impeded, 
and  his  action  always  impressive;  so  that,  in  their 
energetic  union,  his  great  mental  and"  moral  qualities 
possessed  a  charm  which  never  failed  to  win  upon  the 
confidence  and  captivate  the  judgment  of  his  audience. 
He  had  little  of  those  coruscations  of  fancy,  transient 
gleams  such  as  "live  in  the  rainbow  and  play  in  the 
plighted  clouds  ;"  but  was  richly  endowed  with  those 
more  exacted  qualities  which  enabled  him  to  speak  in 
"the  large  utterance  of  the  early  gods."  He  always 
steered  in  the  dignified  medium  between  tameness  and 
ferocity.-  There  was  a  mingling  of  heroical  and  Christian 
graces  in  him,  which  showed,  that  the  ambition  of  his 
soul,  and  the  symmetry  of  his  thoughts,  were  fashioned 
after  the  sublimest  models,  and  for  a  better  world. 

One  who  knew  him  intimately  has  described  him  as 
being  one  of  the  most  ardent  of  the  patriots,  before  and 
during  the  Revolution ;  a  popular  writer  and  energetic 
speaker.  "He  was  of  common  size,  of  muscular  form, 
light  blue  eyes,  light  complexion,  and  erect  in  person, 
He  wore  a  tie  wig,  cocked  hat,  and  red  cloak.  His 
manner  was  very  serious."  His  enunciation  is  said  to 
have  been  remarkably  slow,  distinct,  and  harmonious. 
Whenever  he  arose  to  address  a  popular  assembly, 
every  murmur  was  hushed  at  the  first  flash  of  that 
"sparkling  eye  beneath  a  veteran  brow."  Expectation 
was  on  tiptoe  for  something  weighty  from  his  lips,  and 
was  seldom  disappointed.  "Eloquence,"  said  Boling- 


SAMUEL    ADAMS.  H5 

broke,  "  must  flow  like  a  stream  that  is  fed  by  an 
abundant  spring,  and  not  spout  forth  a  little  frothy 
water  on  some  gaudy  day, -and  remain  dry  the  rest  of 
the  year." 

The  encomium  which  Ben  Jonson  pronounced  on 
Lord  Bacon's  speaking  may  be  justly  applied  to  Samuel 
Adams.  "  There  happened  in  my  time  one  noble 
speaker  who  was  full  of  gravity  in  his  Speech.  His 
language  was  nobly  censorious.  No  man  ever  spoke 
more  neatly,  more  pressly,  more  weightily,  or  suffered 
less  emptiness,  less  idleness  in  what  he  uttered.  No 
member  of  his  speech  b«t  consisted  of  his  own  graces. 
His  heafers  could  not  cough  or  look  aside  from  him 
without  loss.  He  commanded  where  he  spoke,  and 
had  his  judges  angry  and  pleased  af  his  devotion.  No 
man  had  their  affections  more  in  his  power".  The  fear 
of  every  man  that  heard  him  was  lest  he  should  make 
an  end." 

The  patriotism  of  Samuel  Adams  was  undoubted, 
and  his  personal  worth  was  of  the  most  exalted  charac- 
ter. The  influence  he  exerted  on  the  destinies  of  the 
country  was  probably  more  potent  and  salutary  than 
that  of  any  other  man.  He  might  not  cope  with  some 
others  in  the  ability  to  convulse  or  console  an  audience 
in  tumirituous  debate,  but  he  could  privately  lead  the 
leaders.  Plain,  quiet,  indigent,  sagacious,  patriotic  old 
Puritan,  as  he  was,  now  melting  his  stern  soul  into 
unwonted  tears  of  joy,  and  pacing  the  "Common"  with 
exulting  step,  because  that  morning  he  had  "  won  that 
chivalrous  young  aristocrat,  John  Hancock/'  to  the 
defence  of  the  popular  cause ;  and  now  glancing,  with 


116          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

a  sly  twinkle  in  his  eye,  »at  fiery  resolutions  pendant 
from  the  "  Tree  of  Liberty,"  purporting  to  hay^e  been 
produced  nocturnally  by  the  serene  goddess  herself,  but 
which,  he  well  knows,  first  saw  the  light  by  his  solitary 
lamp  ;  and,  anon,  ensconced  behind  the  "  deacon's  seat" 
in  "Old  South,"  with  an  immense  throng  crowding  the 
double  galleries  to  the  very  ceiling,  he  stealthily  passes 
up  a  pungent  resolution,  which  kindles  some  more 
excitable  mouth-piece,  and,  finally,  inflames  the  heaving 
and  swelling  mass  with  spontaneous  cries  of  "  Boston 
harbor  a  lea-pot  to  night!" — why,  he  was;  Indeed,  a 
power  behind  the  throne  greater  4han  the-  throne,  he 
ruled  the  winds  that  moved,  the  waves. 

Our  third  general  point  relates  to  the  service  which 
Samuel  Adams  rendered  to  his  country  and  the  world 
by  the  force  of  his  example.  A  few  words  on  this 
topic. 

The  character  of  a  man,  viewed  at  large,  is  the 
aggregate  of  his  passions,  and  his  .passions  are  developed 
and  toned  by  the  circumstances  of  his  situation.  The 
most- striking  personages  in  history  are  produced  by  a 
g*eat  variety  of  little  incidents ;  as  from  an  infinity  of 
minute  threads  of  hemp  the  mightiest  cables  are  formed. 

We  have  seen  that  Mr.  Adams  early  became  interested 
in  the  welfare  of  his  country  ;  to  promote  her  weal  he 
devoted  all  the  wealth  he  inherited  and  all  rtie  talents 
he  possessed.  From  a -humble  position  in  life,  he  rose 
through  successive  gradations  of  rank  until,  in  1795, 
he  became  "governor  of  his  native  comTnomvealth. 
The  respect  paid  him  at  home  and  abroad  was  such 


SAMUEL    ADAMS.  117 

as  his  extraordinary  merits  were  calculated  to  com- 
mand. 

George  Clymer,  of  Philadelphia,  writing  from  Eng- 
land to  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  •  directed  his  friend  as 
follows : 

"I  beg  you  will  make  my  particular  compliments  to 
Mr.  Hancock  and  Mr.  S.  Adams.  There  are  no  men 
more  worthy"  of  general  esteem;  the  latter  I  camwt 
sufficiently  respect  for  his  integrity  and  abilities.  All 
good  Americans  should  erect  a  statue  to  him  in  their 
hearts." 

Josiah  Quincy,  m  turn,  writing  to  his  wife  from 
London,  in  a  letter  dated  Dec.  7,  1774,  remarks : 

"The  character  of  Mr.  Samuel  Adams  stands  very 
high  here.  I  find  many  who  consider  him  the  first 
politician  in  the  world.  I  have  found  more  reason 
every  day  to  convince  me  that  he  has  been  right  when 
others  supposed  him  wrong." 

General  Joseph  Read,  of  Pennsylvania,  -on  being 
offered  a  heavy  bribe  by  Governor  Johnson  in  1778 
returned  this,  pithy  answer  to  the  corrupt  attempt  on 
his  republican  loyalty.-  "I  am  not  worth  purchasiag, 
but  such  as  I  am,  the  king  of  Great  Britain  is  not  rich 
enough  to  do  it."  Such  integrity  was  not  uncommon, 
during  our  Revolution,  but  in  Samuel  Adams  it  was 
proverbial.  He  might  have  declared  at  any  time, 
without  fear  of  contradiction,  with  Cardinal  de  Retz,  "  In 
the  most  difficult  times  of  the  Republic,  I  never  deserted 
the  State;  in  her  most  prosperous  fortune,  I  never 
never  tasted  of  her  sweets ;  in  her  most  desperate 
circumstances,  I  knew  not  fear."  During  the  most 


118  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

01 

gloomy  periods  of  our  national  struggle,  when  others 
were  desponding,  he  always  kept  up  chee?ful  spirits, 
gently  rebuking  the  fears  of  others,  and  expressing  .his 
unwavering  reliance  upon  the  -protection  of  an  over- 
ruling Providence,  who  he  had  felt  assured  from  the 
first,  would  conduct  the  country  through  all  its  trials  to 
deliverance  and  prosperous  repose.  As  a  patriot,  he 
toiled  incessantly,  without  complaint ;  as*  a  Christian, 
he  trusted  in  God,  and  was  not  confounded. 

Grattan  said  of  Fox,  that  "  He  stood  against  the  cur- 
rent of  the  court ;  he  stood  against  the  tide  of  the  people  ; 
he  stood  against  both  united ;  he  was  the  isthmus  lashed 
by  the  waves  of  democracy,  and  by  the  torrent  of  des- 
potism, unaffected  by  either,  and  superior  to  both-;  the 
Marpesian  rock  that  struck  its  base  to  the  centre,  and 
raised  its  forehead  to  the  skies."  And  such,  too,  was 
Samuel  Adams.  He  was  the  most  puritanic  of  all  our 
statesmen.  Others  were  endowed  with  the  more  splen- 
did gifts,  and  more  flexile  powers  of  popular  harangue  ; 
but  he,  above  -all  his  cotemporaries,  glorified  with  his 
incorruptible  poverty  the  Revolution  which  he  was  the 
first  to  excite  and  the  last  to  abandon. 

In  1781,  Mr.  Adams  retired  from  Congress,  with  the 
desire,  in  the  near  prospect  of  peace,  to  withdraw  from 
all  public  labors.  But  he  was  repeatedly  pressed  into 
the  service  of  his  country.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
convention  which  formed  the  constitution  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  of  the  committee  which  drafted  it.  He  was 
successively  a  member  of  the  Senate,  president  of  that 
body,  and  member  of  the  convention  which  adopted  the 
Federal  Constitution.  In  1789,  he  was  elected  lieute- 


*.  4? 

*;.  .* 

'    'Ji   ' 


SAMUEL    ADAMS.  119 


nant-governor,  in  which  office  he  continued  until,  1794, 
when  he  succeeded  John  Hancock  as  Governor  of  the 
State.  To  this  office  he  was  annually  elected  until 
1797,  when  his  age  and  increasing  infirmities  com- 
pelled him  to  retire  from  public  life  altogether.  He  died 
on  the  3d  of  October,  1803,  in  the  eighty-second  year 
of  his  age.  At  the  close  of  his  life,  and  from  a  much 
earlier  period,  he  had  a  tremulous  motion  of  the  head, 
which  probably  added  to  the  solemnity  of  his  eloquence, 
as  this  was,  in  some  measure,  associated  with  the  won- 
derful melody  of  his  tones. 

Samuel  Adams  was  the  last  of  the  Puritans  —  "a  class 
of  men,"  says  Governor  Everett,  "  to  whom  the  cause  of 
civil  and  religious  liberty,  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic, 
is  mainly  indebted,  for  the  great  progress  which  it  has 
made  for  the  last  two  hundred  years  ;  and  when  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  was  signed,  that  dispensa- 
tion might  be  considered  as  brought  to  a  close.  At  a 
time  when  the  new  order  of  things  was  inducing  laxity 
of  manners  and  a  departure  from  the  ancient  strictness, 
Samuel  Adams  clung  with  greater  tenacity  to  the  whole- 
some discipline  of  the  fathers.  His  only  relaxation 
from  the  business  and  cares  of  life  was  in  the  indul- 
gence of  a  taste  for  sacred  music,  for  which  he  was  qua- 
lified by  the  possession  of  a  most  angelic  voice,  and  a 
soul  solemnly  impressed  with  religious  sentiment.  Re- 
sistance to  oppression  was  his  vocation." 

He  was  a  Christian.  At  an  early  age  he  was  imbued 
with  the  spirit  of  piety,  and  the  purity  of  his  life  verified 
tho  sincerity  of  his  profession.  The  last  production  of 


120  ORATORS    OB'    THE    AMERICAN    REVOL.lfc'ION. 

his  pen  was  in  favor  of  Christian  truth,  and  the  light 
that  cheered  him  in  death  emanated  from  the  Cross. 

"  He  is  a  freeman  whom  the  truth  makes  free, 
And  all  are  slaves  besides." 


CHAPTER   IV. 

• 

JOSIAH   QUINCY,   JR., 

ORATOR  OF  REFINED   ENTHUSIASM. 

THIS  distinguished  patriot  was  born  inw  Boston;  Feb- 
ruary 23d,  1744.  His  temperafhent  was  ardent,  and  his 
sensibilities  were  extremely  acute.  He  acquired  the  rudi- 
ments of  a  classical  education  at  Braintree,  and,  in  1759, 
entered  Harvard  College,  where  he  distinguished  himself 
for  upright  conduct  and  ripe  scholarship.  He  graduated 
in  1763,  and  in  due  course  took  his  second  degree,  with 
very  high  reputation.  His  theme  on  the  occasion  was 
"Patriotism,"  and  is  said  to  have  been  remarkable  both 
on  account  of  its  composition  and  delivery.  "His 
taste,"  says  his  biographer,  "  was  refined  by  an  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  ancient  classic*,  and  his  soul  ele- 
vated and  touched  by  the  spirit  of  freedom  they  breathe. 
His  compositions  during  this  period  also  prove,  that  he 
was  extensively  conversant  with  the  best  writers  of  the* 
French  and  English  schools.  Above  all,  the  genius  of 
Shakspeare  seems  to  have  led  captive  his  youthful  im- 
agination. In  his  writings,  quotations,  or  forms  of  ex- 
pression, modelled  upon  those  of  that  author,  perpetually 
occur.  There  still  exists  among  his  papers,  a  manu- 
script of  the  date  of '1762,  he  then  being  in  the  junior 
6 


'     122  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

class  of  the  college,  of  seventy  closely  and  minutely 
written  quarto  pages  of  extracts  from  that  author. 

Mr.  Quincy  read  law  in  the  office  of  Oxenbridge 
Thatcher,  the  distinguished  advocate  who  was  associat- 
ed with  James  Otis  against  the  Writs  of  Assistance. 
Mr.  Thatcher  died  in  1765.  Mr.  Quincy  had  not  then 
completed  his  preparatory  studies,  but  remained  the  resi- 
due of  his  student's  term,  took  a  generat  oversight  of  the 
business  of  the  office,  and  therein  succeeded  to  a  lucra- 
tive and  extensive  practice.  He  early  made  himself 
conspicuous^]^  the  ardor  with  which-  he  wrote  and 
spoke  against  -the  encroachments  of  the  mother  country. 

The  boldness  with  which  Quincy  entered  upon  -the 
great  contest  is  indicated  by  the  following  sentiments 
published  by  him  in  1770,  in  the  midst  of  great  excite- 
ment, and  only  twenty  days  previous  to  the  Boston 
massacre : 

"In  answer  to  the  question,  'What  end  is.  the  non- 
importation agreement  to  answer?'  I  give  the  following 
reply : 

"From  a  conviction  in  my  own  mind,  that  America 
is  now  the  -slave  pf  Britain ;  from  a  sense  that  we  are 
every  day  more  and  more  in  danger  of  arr  increase  of 
our  burdens,  and  a  fastening  of  our  shackles,  I  wish  to 
see  my  countrymen  break  off — off  for  ever! — all  social 
intercourse  with  those  whose  commerce  contaminates, 
whose  luxuries  poison,  whose  avarice  is  insatiable,  and 
whose  unnatural  oppressions  are  not  to  be  borne.  That 
Americans  will  know  their  rights,  that  they  will  resume, 
assert,  and  defend  them,  are  matters  of  which  I  harbor 
no  doubt.  Whether  the  arts  of  policy,  or  the  arts  of  war 


JOSIAH    QUINCY,    JR.  123 

will  decide  the  contest,  are  problems,  that  we  will  solve 
at  a  more  convenient  season.  He,  whose  heart  is  en- 
amored with  the  refinements  of  political  artifice  and 
finesse,  will  seek  one  mode  of  relief;  he  whose  heart  is 
free,  honest,  and  intrepid,  will  pursue  another,  a  bolder, 
and  a. more  noble  mode  of  redress.  This  reply  is  so  in- 
telligible, that  it  needs  no  comment  or  explanation." 

In  August,  1774,  at  the  urgent  solicitation  of  his 
political  friends,  Mr.  Quincy  determined  to  relinquish 
business  and  embark  for  England  on  a  secret  mission  in 
behalf  of  his  country.  In  this  enterprise  it  is  believed 
that  he  accomplished  much  good.  His  eSbrts  were  un- 
remitting, and  his  solicitu.de  were  both  profound  and  sin- 
cere. This  is  indicated  by  the  following  extract  from  a 
letter  dated 

"  LONDON,  December  14,  1774. 

"In  the  sight  of  God,  and  all  just  men,  the  cause  is 
good;  we  have  the  wishes  of  the  wise  and  humane,  we 
have  the  prayers  of  the  pious,  and  the  universal  benison 
of  all  who  seek  to  God  for  direction,  aid,  and  blessing. 
I  own  I  feel  for  the  miseries  of  my  country ;  I  own  I 
feel  much  desire  for  the  happiness  of  my  brethren  in 
trouble  ;  but  why  should  I  disguise,  I  feel  ineffably,  for 
the  honor — the  honor,  I  repeat  it — the  honor  of  my 
country.  If  in  the  trial,  you  prove,  as  your  enemies  say, 
arrant  poltroons  and  cowards,  how  ineffably  contempti- 
ble will  you  appear;  how  wantonly  and  superlatively 
will  you  be  abused  and  insulted  by  your  triumphing 
oppressors !" 

On  the  16th  of  March,  1775,  Mr.  Quincy  embarked 
for  Boston.  His  health  was  bad,  and  grew  much  worse 


124  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

during  the  early  part  of  the  voyage.  After  being  five 
weeks  at  sea,  and  yet  far  from  his  beloved  home,  he  be- 
came convinced  that  death  was  at  hand,  and  prepared  to 
submit  himself  to  the  will  of  heaven  with  heroic  calm- 
ness and  Christian  resignation.  He  repeatedly  said  to 
his  companions  that  he  had  but  one  desire,  which  was, 
that  he  might  live  long  enough  to  have  an  interview 
with  Samuel  Adams,  or  Joseph  Warren ;  that  granted, 
he  should  die  content.  But  this  wish  was  not  granted 
to  his  patriotic  heart. 

As  he  drewf  near  his  native  shore,  the  crisis  he  had  so 
long  expected  transpired.  The  battle  of  Lexington  was 
fought.  'According  to  his  prediction,  "his  countrymen 
sealed  their  faith  and  constancy  to  their  liberties  with 
their  blood."  But  he  lived  not  to  hear  on  earth  the 
tidings  of  that  glorious  day.  "  On  the  26th  of  April, 
1775,  within  sight  of  that  beloved  country  which  he  was 
not  permitted  to  reach ;  neither  supported  by  the  kind- 
ness-of  friendship,  nor  cheered  by  the  voice  of  affection, 
he  expired ;  not,  indeed,  as,  a  few  weeks  afterwards,  did 
his  friend  and  co-patriot,  Warren,  in  battle,  on  a  field 
ever  memorable  and  ever  glorious;  but  in  solitude, 
amidst  suffering,  without  associate,  and  without  wit- 
ness ;  yet  breathing  forth  a  dying  wish  for  his  country, 
desiring  to  live  only  to  perform  towards  her  a  last  and 
signal  service."- 

A  few  hours  after  his  death,  the  ship;  with  his  lifeless 
remains,  arrived  at  Gloucester,  Cape  Ann,  where  the 
body  of  this  devoted  patriot  was  interred  with  becoming 
respect.  Mr.  Quincy  had  no  opportunity  of  communi- 
cating to  his  countrymen  the  result  of  his  observations 


JOSIAH  auiNcx,  JR.  125 

abroad,  which  was  eagerly  expected.  The  regret  on 
this  account,  was  however,  merged  in  the  universal  sor- 
row for  the  untimely  loss  of  a  virtuous,  and  gifted  advo- 
cate of  freedom,  who  was  cut  off  in  his  thirty-first  year, 
in  the  very  crisis  of  the  country  he  so  much  loved. 

We  will,  now  -proceed  to  notice  more  particularly  Mr. 
Quincy's  character  as  an  orator.     He  was  early  distin- 
'guished  at  the  bar,  and  has  rendered  his  name  immortal 
as  a  patriot.     Tlie  cultivation  of  elegant  literature  sup- 
plied his  pastime,  but  love  of  country  was  the  strong 

passion  of  his  soul  and  the  habitual  inspiration  of  his 
1 

public  toil. 

The  peculiar  excellence  of  his  oratorical  character 
was  refined  enthusiasm.  The  exercise  of  this  was  fre- 
quent and  most  effective.  In  the  great  debates  which  he 
majnly  led  in  Faneuil  Hall,  on  the  Stamp- Act,  the  Boston 
Massacre,  and  the  Boston  Port- Bill,  the  pathos  of  his 
eloquence,  the  boldness  of  his  invectives,  and  his  im- 
pressive vehemence,  powerfully  inflamed  the  zeal  and 
aroused  the  resentment  of  an  oppressed  people.  His 
lips  teemed  with  those  significant  sounds  and  sweet 
airs  which  ever  give  delight,  as  in  sincerity  he  could 
exclaim, 

"  Hail  to  the  glorious  plans  that  spread 

The  light  with  universal  beam, 
And  through  life's  human  desert  spread 
Truth's  living,  pure,  perpetual  stream !" 

True  enthusiasm  is  no  other  than  the  sublime  inspira- 
tion of  an  imagination  vividjy  exalted,  always  united  to 
reason,  which  it  does  not  sacrifice,  but  which  it  animates 
with  the  interest  and  pungency  of  impassioned  senti- 


126  ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

ment.  It  is  not  to  astonish  by  the  scaffolding  of  his 
learning,  that  the  true  orator  addresses  assembled  multi- 
tudes-; it  is  to  agitate,  instruct,  and  subdue  them.  True 
eloquence  dissipates  doubt  and  rends  prejudice,  as  hot 
shot  explode  a  magazine ;  it  is  heat  combined  with  force. 
Hence  Dionysius,  of  Halicarnassus,  compared  Demos- 
thenes to  a  sacred  fire  kindled  on  the  Acropolis  at 
Athens,  to  illuminate  and  warm  a  people  equally  blina 
and  careless,  upon  questions  of  the  greatest  moment. 

The  orator  of  the  people  must  vividly  arouse  in  his 
own  bosom  all  the  grand  sentiments  of  liberty,  equality, 
humanity,  and  virtue,  which  are  dormant  in  the  hearts 
of  all  men.  Before  their  fixed  eyes  and  open  mouths 
and  swelling  bosoms  he  must  evoke  the  gigantic  images 
of  religion,  country  and  glory.  He  must  be  able  to 
make  the  meadows  smile  at  their  feet,  and  the  shepherd's 
pipe  of  peace  sound  from  distant  hills ;  or,  if  it  bet- 
ter suit  his  purpose,  he  must  banish  all  pleasing  images, 
and  wrap  the  awed  multitude  in  gloom  made  doubly 
fearful  by  earthquakes  beneath  and  thunders  on  high. 
To  do  this  successfully,  there  must  be 

"Holy  revealings,' 
From  the  innermost  shrine,  from  the  light  of  the  feelings." 

The  speaker  must  foster  a  constant  regard  for  the  high 
principles  of  truth  and  justice.  He  must  remember  that 
human  beings  are  composed  not  of  reason  only,  but  of 
imagination  also,  and  sentiment ;  and  that  his  energies 
are  legitimately  employed  only  while,  with  simultaneous 
force,  they  give  shape  to  the  judgment  and  open  proper 
springs  of  emotion  in  the  heart.  Speaking  thus,  he  will 


JOSIAH    aUINCY,    JR.  127 

command  universal  confidence  while  he  diffuses  univer- 
sal delight. 

"And  aged  ears  play  truant  at  his  tales, 
And  younger  hearings  are  quite  ravished, 
So  sweet  and  voluble  is  his  discourse." 

Quiney  appeared  at  an  auspicious  moment  for  the 
exercise  of  his  peculiar  talents.  The.  statue  of  Liberty 
was  not  yet  cast,  but  the  metal  was  abundant,  was  al- 

.    T^H 

ready  boiling  ki  the  furnace,  and  how  soon  the  glorious 
work  was  to  be  consummated,  is  indicated  by  the  fol- 
lowing extract  of  an  address  which  our  orator  published 
in  the  Boston  Gazette,  October,  1767  : 

"Be  not  deceived,  my  countrymen.  Believe  not 
these  venal  hirelings  when  they  would  cajole  you  by 
their  subtleties  into  submission,  or  frighten  you  by  their 
vaporings  into  compliance.  When  they  strive  to  flatter 
you  by  the  terms,  "  moderation  and  prudence,"  tell  them 
that  calmness  and  deliberation .  are  to  guide  the  judg- 
ment; courage  and  intrepidity  command  the  action. 
When  they  endeavor  to  make  us  '  perceive  our  inability 
to  oppose  our  mother  country,'  let  us  boldly  answer : 
In  defence  of  our  civil  and  religious  rights,  we  dare  op- 
pose the  world;  with  the  God  of  armies  on  our  side, 
even  the  God  who  fought  our  fathers'  battles,  we  fear 
not  the  hour  of  trial,  though  the  host  of  our  enemies 
should  cover  the  field  like  locusts.  If  this  be  enthusiasm, 
we  will  live  and  die  enthusiasts.  Blandishments  will 
not  fascinate  us,  nor  will  threats  of  a  'halter,'  intimidate. 
For  under  God,  we  are  determined,  that  wheresoever, 
whensoever,  or  howsoever,  we  shall  be  called  to  make 
our  exit,  we  will  die  freemen. 


128  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

"  Well  do  we  know  that  all  the  regalia  of  this  world 
cannot  dignify  the  death  of  a  villain,  nor  diminish  the 
the  ignominy  with  whieh.a  slave  shall  quit  his  existence. 
Neither  can  it  taint  the  unblemished  honor  of  a  son  of 
freedom,  though  he  should  make  his  departure  on  the 
already  prepared  gibbet,  or  be  dragged  to  the '  newly 
erected  scaffold  fon  execution.  With  the  plaudits  of  his 
conscience  he  will  go  off  the  stage.  A  crown  of  joy 
and  immortality  shall  be  his  reward.  The  history  of  his 
life  his  children  shall  venerate.  The  virtues  of  their 
sire  shall  excite  their  emulation." 

This  is  a  fair  specimen  of  Mr.  Quincy's  composition. 
It  indicates  a  power  to*  seize  boldly  on  the  attention  of 
an  audience.  It  is  a  style  calculated  to  arouse -its  pity, 
or  its  indignation,  its  sympathies,  its  repugnances,  or  its 
pride.  It  is  thus  that  the  popular  orator  must  deal  with 
his  fellow  men,  whether  addressing  them  through  the 
pen  or  living  voice.  He  must  seem  to  love  the  public 
breath  and  receive  its  inspiration,  while  it  is  himself 
who  communicates  to  others  his  own.  When  he  shall 
have,  in  a  manner,  detached  ail  the  souls  of  the  com- 
munity from  their  bodies,  and  they  have  come  to  group 
themselves  at  his  feet,  and  are  docile  under  the  magical 
power  of  his  look,  then  might  it  be  truly  said  that  all 
those  souls  had  passed  into  his  own.  Behold  how  they 
undulate  in  syntpathy  with  the  movements  of  the  ora- 
torical mind,  the  master  whom  they  rapturously  obey. 
They  advance  or'  retii'e,  are  raised  or  depressed,  as  he 
wills.  They  are  suspended  upon  his  lips  by  the  graces 
of  persuasion,  and  by  a  glorious  abandonment  to  his 


JOSIAH    ftUINCY,    JR.  129 

41 
own  strong  emotions,  he  captivates  and  subdues  every 

listening  spirit. 

In  his  popular  harangues,  Mr.  Quiney  produced  the 
results  of  his  extensive  reading  in  a  simple  and  most 
forcible  manner.  He  was  familiar  with  the  best  writers 
in  poetry  and  prose,  and  frequently  quoted  from  them, 
especially  the  English  dramatists..  Tradition,  says,  that 
in  doing  this,  the  execution  was  extraordinary.  He 
gave  forth  not  merely  the  verbiage,  the  cold  medium  of 
sentiment,  but  he  vividly  reproduced  all  that  his  author 
originally  designed  to  express.  He  quoted  a  literary 
gem  as  though  every  line  and  word  had  been,  early 
transplanted  into  his  heart — had  been  brooded  over  in 
silence  and  bathed  at  the  fount  of  tears,  to  burst  forth 
when  called  for,  like  the  spontaneous  and  native  growth 
of  his  soul. 

However  severe  he  was  in  private  discipline,  and 
strictly  logical  in  the  construction  of  his  argument,  in 
public,  he  stood  unshackled,  and  careered  over  the  popu- 
lar mind  on  the  wings  of  a  free  and  flexible  imagination. 
We  should  estimate  addresses  .made  to  miscellaneous 
audiences  by  the  circumstances  which  demand  a  little 
license  and  a  good  deal  of  freedom.  Who  would  be  so 
rash  as  to  apply  the  square  and  compass  to  the  delicate 
lyre  of  Homer,  or  the  sublime  one  of  Pindar  ?  Thus 
wounded  and  encumbered,  the  divine  instrument  which 
before  was  redolent  of  ravishing  harmony,  henceforth 
utters  nothing  but  sharp  and  discordant  sounds. 

This  refined  enthusiasm,  .so  habitually  exemplified  by 
Mr.  Quiney,  constituted  the  main  force  of  his  public  in- 
6* 


130  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

fluence.  His  speech  might  generally  be  defined  as  being 
logic  set  on  fire.  This  is  true  of  all  effective  eloquence. 
The  speaking  that  is  not  imbued  with  the  living  light 
and  heat  of  profound  emotion,  is  like  the  statue  of  Po- 
lyphemus with  his  eye  out ;  that  feature  is  absent  which 
most  shows  the  sonl  and  life. 

About  the  last  of  September,  1768,  hordes  of  foreign 
troops  were  fended  in  Boston  from  fourteen  ships  of  war. 
With  muskets  loaded,  bayonets  fixed,  drums  beating, 
fifes  playing,  and  fortified  by  a  whole  train  of  artillery, 
these  mercenary  soldiers  took  possession  of  the  Common, 
the  slate-house,  the  court-house,  and  Faneuil  Hall.  It 
was  at  this  moment  of  terror  and  danger  that  Quincy 
openly  and  fearlessly  addressed  his  townsmen  in  a  me- 
morable speech.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  his 
oration,  the  whole  of  which  was  reported  in  the  Boston 
Gazette  of  October  3d : 

"  Oh,  my  countrymen !  what  will  our  children  say 
when  they  read  the  histofy  of  these  times,  should  they 
find  we  tamely  gave  way,  without  one  noble  struggle, 
the  most  invaluable  of  earthly  blessings  ?  As  they  drag 
the  galling  chain,  will  they  not  execrate  us  ?  If  we  have 
any  respect  for  things  sacr-ed ;  any  regard  to  the  dearest 
treasure  on  earth ; — if  we  have  one  tender  sentiment  for 
posterity; — if  we  would  not  be  des-pised  by  the  world  ; — 
let  us,  in  the  most  open  solemn  manner,  and  with  deter- 
mined fortitude  s'wear, — we  will  die, — if  we  cannot  live 
freemen !" 

Another  fine  display  of  his  bold  enthusiasm,  was  oc- 
casioned by  the  arrival  of  the  obnoxious  tea  in  Boston 


JOSIAH    aUINCT,    JR.  131 

harbor,  on  Saturday,  November  27th,  1773.  A  town 
meeting  was  held  on  the  Monday  following,  and  resolu- 
tions were  passed,  calling  on  the  consignees  not -to  receive 
it.  In  urging  this  measure,  Mr.  Quincy,  with  a  strong 
perception  of  the  events  which  would  naturally  follow, 
and  wishing  to  try  the  spirit  and  to  increase  the  energy 
of  his  fellow  citizens,  by  setting  before  them  in  a  strong 
light,  the  consequences  that  might  be  expected  from 
their  resolves,  addressed  the  meeting  in  the  following 
terms : 

"It  is  not,  Mr.  Moderator,  the  spirit  that  vapors 
within  these  walls  .that  must  stand  us  in  stead.  The  ex- 
ertions of  this  da-y  will  call  forth  events,  which  will  make 
a  very  different  spirit  necessary  for  our  own  salvation. 
Whoever  supposes  that  shouts  and  hosaryaas  will  termi- 
nate the  trials  of  the  day,  entertains  a  childish  fancy. 
We  must  be  grossly  ignorant  of  the  importance  and 
value  of  the  prize  for  which  we  contend ;  we  must  be 
equally  ignorant  of  the  power  of  those  combined  agaiqst 
us;  we  must  be  blind  to  that  malice,  inveteracy,  and 
insatiable  revenge,  which  actuate  our  enemies,  public 
and  private,  abroad  and.  in  our  bosom,  to  hope  that  we 
shall  end  this  controversy  without  the  sharpest  conflicts; 
to  flatter  ourselves  that  popular  resojvesj  popular  ha- 
rangues, popular  acclamations,  and  popular  vapor,  will 
vanquish  our  foes.  Les  us  consider  the  issue,  Let  us 
look  to  the  end.  Let  us  weigh  and  consider,  before  we 
advance  to  those  measures,  which  must  bring  on  the 
most  trying  and  terrible  struggle  thus  country  ever 
saw." 


132  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

These  specimens  are  enough  to  .show  that,  however 
powerful  this  orator  was  with  his  pen,  he  was  much 
more  potent  when  seen  and  heard  in  the  impressive  act 
of  living  and  spontaneous  speech. 

"  How  this  grace 

Speaks  his  own  standing,!  what  a  mental  power 
His  eye  shoots  forth  !  how  big  imagination 
Moves  in  his  lip  t  to  the  dumbness  of  the  gesture 
One  might  interpret." 

The  spirit  of  eloquence  is  a -social  spirit,  dwelling  in 
the  midst  of  men,  rrraking  appeals  to  their  sympathies, 
beguiling  them  of  their  fears,  and  aggrandizing  their 
minds.  It  gathered  its  thousands  around  the  bema  and 
rostrum  of  old;  it  nerved  nations  like  the  tocsin  of 
war,  and  made  aggressions  on  the  kingdoms  of  igno- 
rance and  tyranny  with  the  clear  clarion  cry  of  perpe- 
tual triumph.  It  was  heard  -at  the  banquet  of  artists, 
the  festival  of  authors,  and  the  coronation  of  heroes. 
Eloquence  was  twin-born  with  Liberty  j  together  they 
have  harmoniously  lived  through  all  vicissitudes,  and 
together  they  have  migrated  from  land  to  land.  The 
spirit  of  eloquence  is  the  sun,  which  from  its  rising,  in- 
spired the  statue  of  Memnon;  it  is  the  flame  which 
warmed  into  life  the  image'  of  Prometheus.  It  is  this 
which  causes  the  graces  and  the  loves  to  take  up  their 
habitations  in  the  hardest  marble,  to  subsist  in  the  emp- 
tiness of  light  and  shadow  on  the  pictured  canvas,  or  in 
winged  words  to  bound  from  soul  to  soul  through  con- 
gregated masses  with  the  potency  and  impressiveness  ot 
omnipotence. 


* 

*    . 

JOSIAH    QUINCY,    JR.  133 

Mr.  Quincy  possessed,  in  no  ordinary  degree,  those 
attributes  of  voice,  figure,  look  and  action,  which  are 
essential  to  complete  the  full  charm  of  eloquence.  His 
face  was  instinct  with  expression  ;  his  eye,  in  particular, 
glowed  with  intellectual  splendor. 

The  lovers  of  elegant  oratory  must  have  keenly  en- 
joyed Quincy 's  thrilling,  imaginative,  yet  forcible  style 
of  address,  which  broke  forth  Jike  intermittent  flashes  of 
lightning  amid  the  thunders  of  colonial  agitation.  When 
fully  aroused  in  view  of  the  coming  conflict,  he  was 
"  seraphic  all  in  fervency,"  and  was  superlatively  im- 
pressive while  "  polling  the  rapturous  hosanna  round." 
He  was  not  less  a  patriot,  for  being  something  of  a  poet; 
he  was  in  soul  an  orator,  and  his  ardent  heart  fused  into 
the  liquid  flow  of  brilliant  eloquence  the  purest  elements 
of  democratic  power.  He  had  a  warm  heart  and  quick 
perception,  organs  which  are  ever  on  the  alert  to  explore 
the  beautiful  and  feel  the  sublime  under  all  their  forms  ; 
borrowing  from  multifarious  life  all  its  sensations,  from 
nature  all  its  wealth,  ami  from  art  all  its  blandishments. 
If  the  fastidious  condemned  his  style,  the  enraptured 
masses  of  the  people  adored  his  sentiments ;  some,  it 
may  be,  pronounced  him  too  ornate,  and  -others  too  dif- 
fuse, but  all  listesed  to  him  with  that  profound  admira- 
tion which  is  always  the  test 'and  reward  of  noble  and 
harmonious  eloquence,  emanating  from  a  generous  and 
honest  heart. 

"  As  I  listen'd  to  thetf,. 
The  happy  hours  pass'd  by  us  unperceiv'd, 
So  was  my  soul  fixed  to  the  soft  enchantment." 


134          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN   DEVOLUTION. 

The  popular  orator  must  study  the  whole  nature  of  man, 
and  learn  how  to  sway  his  passions,  prejudices  and  sen- 
sibilities, as  well  as  his  reasoning  faculty.  The  human 
soul  is  like  a  many-stringed  instrument,  upon  which  h# 
alone  can  play  with  success  who  caa  touch  with  skill 
att  the  cords.  And 'Hume,  with  all  the  ancient  critics, 
has  pronounce'd  in  favor  of  the  orator  who  can  produce 
the  most  powerful  effect  on  the  passions.  Quinctilian 
says,  logicians  can  be  found  every  where.  "  An  able 
argument  is  not  rare  ;  but  seldom  has  that  orator  ap- 
peared whose  eloquence  could  carry  the  judge  out  of 
his  depth  ;  who  could  throw  him  into  what  disposition 
of -mind  he  pleased,  fire  him  into  resentment,  or  soften 
hina  into  tears."  Many  have  constructed  arguments  as 
logical  as  those  of  Demosthenes  an.d  Cicero,  but  none 
ever  arrayed  Irheui  before  their  audiences  with  such 
magic  power.  The  greatest  men  of  the  .age  acknow- 
ledged the  resistless  force  of  such  oratory.  Even  Julius 
Caesar  once  confessed  himself  subdued  by  the  eloquence 
of  Cicero,"and  absolved  a  criminal  contrary  to  his  set- 
tled purposes. 

Abstract  speculations  and  the  astute  deductions  ot 
the  metaphysician  are  very  well  in  their  place,  but  they 
are  not  by  any  means  the  best  part  of.  eloquence.  On 
the  contrary,  they  are  utterly  subversive  of  that  glow 
of  interest,  vivacity  of  spirit,  and  richness  of  sentiment, 
which  it  is  the  prerogative  of  eloquence  alone  to  create. 

".Clear  arguments  may  raise 
In  short  succession  :  yet  th'  oratoric  draught 
Shall  occupy  attention's  stedfast  soul." 

From  deep  and   ardent  enthusiasm  alone,  gush  up 


JOSIAH    aUINCY,    JR.  135 

with  irresistible  impetuosity  those  overflowing  streams 
of  thrilling  emotion,  which  take  captive  the  popular 
heart  and  ignite  it  with  corresponding  zeal. 

We  have  said  that  Mr.  Quincy  appeared  at  a  time 
favorable  to  the  cultivation  of  extraordinary  force  in 
speech.  All  great  masters  in  this  divine  art  are  disci- 
plined in  storms.  When  Demosthenes — "  the  orator  by 
eminence" — was  thundering  his  patriotism'  over  the 
country  of  his  birth,  and  summoning  the  "  band  of  the 
faithful"  to  resist  the  encroachments  of  a  foreign  and 
merciless  usurper,  he  made  Philip  of  Macedon  quake  to 
the  very  centre  of  his  iron  heart.  That  this  faculty  was 
soon  extensively  cultivated  in  ancient  Greece,  besides  a 
vast  quantity  of  evidence  derived  from  other  sources, 
not  only  from  historians,  but,  likewise,  from  actual  speci- 
mens of  oratory  yet  extant,  We  'may  infer  from  the 
poems  of  Homer.  This  "  Prince  of  Poets"  invests  his 
heroes  with  all  the  charm  of  eloquence,  and  in  the  third 
book  of  the  Iliad  there  is  a  beautiful  comparison  between 

9 

the  oratory  of  Ulysses  and  that  of  Menelaus.  This  com- 
parison cannot  be  more  happily  expressed  than  in  the 
language  of  the  admirable  translation,  by  the  illustrious 
poet  of  Twickenham. 

41  When  Atreus'  son  harangued  the  listening  train, 
Just  was  his  sense,  and  his  expression  plain; 
His  words  succinct  yet  full,  without  a  fault, 
He  spoke  no  more  than  just  the  thing  he  ought. 
But,  when  Ulysses  rose,  in  thought  profound, 
His  modest  eyes  he  fixed  upon  the  ground  ; 
As  one  unskilled  or  dumb,  he  seeaied  to  stand, 
Nor  raised  his  head,  nor  stretched  his  sceptred  hand. 


136  ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

BHT,  when  he  speaks,  what  elocution  flows ! 
Soft  as  the  fleeces  of  descending  snows, 
The  copious  accents  fall,  with  easy  art, 
Melting  they  fall  and  sink  into  the  heart. 
Wondering  we  hear  •  and  fixed  in  deep  surprise, 
Our  ears  refute  the  censure  of  our  eyes." 

The  eloquence  of  Nestor,  of  Diomede,  of  Hector,  and 
of  Agamemnon  is  truly  pre-eminent.  Of  each  of  these 
men  it  may  be  said,  with  emphasis,  that  in  this  depart- 
ment,, at.  least,  he  was  unsurpassed  if  not  unequalled. 
Their  oratory  embraces  a  union  of  the  most  polished 
elegance,  the  most  glossy  neatness,  and  the  most  exquisite 
modulation,  with  a  remarkable  purity  and  originality  of 
mind,  and  strength  and  pomp  of  diction.  Thje  reply  of 
Diomede  to  Agamemnon,  in  the  ninth  Iliad,  displays  the 
highest  order  of  intellect  and  sentiment;  and  it  is 
worthy  of  frequent  and  attentive  perusal,  so  -iach  is  it  in 
sublimity  and  noble  pathos. 

(f  When  kings  advise  us  to.  renounce  our  fame 
.  First-let  him  speak,  who  first  has  suffered  shame. 
If  I  oppose  thee,  prince,  thy  wrath  withhold, 
The  laws  of  council  bid  my  tongue  be  bold ; 
Thou  first,  and  thou  alone,  in  field  of  fight 
Durst  brand  my  courage,  and  defame  my  might : 
Nor  from  a  friend  th'  unkind  reproach  appeared, 
The  Greeks  stood  witness,  all  our  army  heard. 
The  Gods,  O  Chief!   from  whom  our  honors  spring, 

The  Gods  have  made  thee  but  by  halves  a  king. 
****** 

The  noblest  power,  that  might  the  world  control, 
They  gave  thee  not, — a  brave  and  virtuous  soul. 
Is  this  a  general's  voice,  that  would  suggest 
Fears  like  his  own  to  every  Grecian  breast  ? 


JOSIAH    aUINCY,    JR.  137 

Confiding  in  our  want  of  worth  he  stands ; 

And  if  we  fly.  'tis  what  our  king  commands. 

Go  thou,  inglorious  !   from  the  embattled  plain  ; 

Ships  thou  hast  store,  and  nearest  to  the  main. 

A  nobler  care  the  Grecains  shall  employ, 

To  combat,  conquer,  and  extirpate  Troy. 

Here  Greece  shall  slay;  or  if  all  Greece  retire,      ^ 

Myself  will  stay,  'till  Troy  or  I  expire  ; 

Myself  and  Sthenelus  will  fight  for  fame ; 

God  bade  us  fight ;  and  'twas  with  God  we  came." 

The  tears  which  an  orator  like  Quincy  compels  his 
audience  to  shed,  make  friends  and  brothers  of  them  all. 

"  One  touch  of  nature  makes  the  whole  world  kin." 

Faith  and  feeling  become  strengthened  by  diffusion. 
Each  individual  feels  himself  stronger  among  so  many 
kindred  associates,  and  the  minds  of  all  flow  together  in 
one  grand  and  irresistible  stream.  The  auditor  loves  to 
yield  himself  up  to  the  fascination  of  a  rich,  mellow 
voice,  a  commanding  attitude,  and  a  brilliant  physiog- 
nomy. He  outruns  the  illusion.  He  is  thrilled  in  every 
nerve,  he  is  agitated  with  rapture  or  remorse,  with  in- 
dignation or  grief.  He  blends  all  his  emotions  with 
the  speaker,  and  is  subdued  or  inspired  under  his  power. 
He  soon  becom.es  stripped  of  all  defence,  and  willingly 
exposed  to  every  blow,  so  that  the  greatest  effects  are 
produced  by  the  slightest  words  adroitly  directed  and 
skillfully  expressed. 

Mr.  Quincy  died  before  our  national  triumph  was 
won.  But  he  saw  its  glories.  He  prophetically  de- 
scribed them  in  language  worthy  of  his  august  theme, 
and  equalled  only  by  the  splendid  reality  when  it  came. 


138  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

"Spirits  and  genii  like  those  who  arose  in  Rome," 
said  he,  "  will  one  day  make  glorious  this  more  western 
world.  America  hath  in  store  her  Bruti  and  Cassii, — 
her  Hampdens  and  Sidneys; — patriots  and  heroes,  who 
will  form  a  band  of  brothers: — men,  who  will  have 
memories  and  feelings,  courage  and  swords ; — courage, 
that  shall  inflame  their  ardent  bosoms,  till  their  hands 
cleave  to  their  swords,  and  their  swords  to  their  ene- 
mies' hearts." 


CHAPTER  V. 
-      JOHN  HANCOCK, 

DIGNIFIED    CAVALIER    OF    LIBERTY. 

THE  Revolutionary  period  of  our  history  is  exceed- 
ingly interesting,  whether  considered  in  the  object  at 
stake,  the  series  of  acts  by  which  it  was  accomplished, 
or  its  immediate  and  remote  results.  Says  Sparks,  "it 
properly  includes  a  compass  of  twenty  years,  extending 
from  the  close  of  the  French  war  in  America  to  the 
general  peace  at  Paris.  The  best  history  in  existence, 
though  left  unfinished,  that  of  the  Peloponnesian  war, 
by  Thucydides,  embraces  exactly  the  same  space  of 
time,  and  is  not  dissimilar  in  the  details  of  its  events. 
The  Revolutionary  period,  thus  defined,  is  rounded  with 
epic  exactness,  having  a  beginning,  a  middle,  and  an 
end  ;  a  time  for  causes  to  operate,  for  the  stir  of  action, 
arid  for  the  final  results.  The  machinery  in  motion  is 
on  the  broadest  scale  of  grandeur.  We  see  the  new 
world,  young  in  age,  but  resolute  in  youth,  lifting  up 
the  arm  of  defiance  against  the  haughtiest  power  of  the 
old ;  fleets  and  armies,  on  one  s-ide,  crossing  the  ocean 
in  daring  attitude  and  confiding  strength ;  on  the  other, 
men  rallying  round  the  banner  of  union,  and  fighting 
on  their  natal  soil  for  freedom,  rights,  existence;  the 


A  * 

140  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

long  struggle  and  successful  issue ;  hope  confirmed, 
justice  triumphant.  The  passions  are  likewise  here  at 
work,  in  all  the  changing  scenes  of  politics  and  war,  in 
the  deliberations  of  the  senate,  the  popular  mind,  and  the 
martial  excitements  of  the  field.  We  have  eloquence 
and  deep  thought  in  council,  alertness  and  bravery  in 
action,  self-sacrifice,  fortitude,  and  patient  suffering  of 
hardships  through  toil  and  danger  to  the  last.  If  we 
search  for  the  habiliments  of  dignity  with  which  to 
clothe  a  historical  subject,  or  the  loose  drapery  of  orna- 
ment with  which  to  embellish  a  narrative,  where  shall 
we  find  them  thronging  more  .thickly,  or  in  happier 
contrasts  than  during  this  period  ?" 

Prominent  among  the  actors  in  the  great  drama 
referred  to  above,  was  John  Hancock.  He  was  born 
in  Quincy,  formerly  Braintree,  1737.  The  grandfather 
and  the  father  of  our  hero  were  -both  distinguished 
clergymen.  His  father  died  early,  leaving  him  to  the 
care  of  a  wealthy  uncle,  by  whom  he  was  educated  and 
made  the  heir  of  great  wealth.  Young  Hancock,  at 
the  early  age  of  seventeen,  was  graduated  at  Harvard, 
in  the  year  1754.  Having  spent  some  years  in  the 
counting-house  of  his  uncle,  in  1760  he  visited  England, 
was  present  at  the  funeral  of  George  II.  and  the  coro- 
nation of  his  successor — a  monarch  against  whom  he 
was  destined  to  wage  a  protracted  and  successful  war. 
When  twenty-seven  years  old,  he  returned  to  his  native 
land,  and,  on  the  death  of  his  generous  patron,  came 
into  the  possession  of  an  immense  fortune. 

In  October,  1774,  Mr.  Hancock  was  unanimously 
elected  president  of  the  Massachusetts  Provincial  Con- 


JOHN    HANCOCK.  141 

vention.  The  next  year,  the  first  ef  the  Revolution, 
he  ascended  to  the  highest  political  distmction  then 
possible,  by  being  made  the  president  of- the  Continental 
Congress.  It  has  been  well  remarked,  "  that  by  his 
long  experience  in  business  as  moderator  of  the  town- 
meetings,  and  presiding  officer  and  speaker  of  the 
provincial  assemblies,  during  times  of  great  turbulence 
and  commotion,  he  was  eminently  qualified,  as  well  as 
by  his  natural  dignity  of  manners,  to  preside  in  this 
great  council  of  the  nation." 

Hancock  was  chosen  governor  of  Massachusetts  in 
1779,  and  was  annually  re-elected  until  1785.  After 
an  interval  of  two  years,  during  which  Mr.  Bowdoin 
occupied  the  post,  Hancock  was  again  placed  in  the 
governor's  chair,  which  he  occupied  until  Oct.  8,  1793, 
when  he  died,  aged  56  years. 

Mr.  Hancock  was  a  magnificent  liver,  lavishingly 
bountiful  when  once  enlisted,  and  splendidly  hospitable 
to  the  friends  of  any  cause  he  loved.  Mr.  Tudor,  in 
his  life  of  Otis,  thus  speaks  of  the  effect  which  the 
sudden  acquisition  of  his  uncle's  bounty  had  upon  him, 
and  the  manner  in  which  his  resources  were  employed. 

"This  sudden  possession  of  wealth  turned  the  eyes  of 
tKe  whole  community  towards  him,  his  conduct  under 
this  trying  prosperity  secured  universal  esteem  and 
good  will.  It  made  him  neither  giddy,  arrogant,  nor 
profligate  ;  he  continued  his  course  of  regularity,  in- 
dustry, and  moderation.  Great  numbers  of  people 
received  employment  at  his  hands,  and  in  all  his  com- 
mercial transactions,  he  exhibited  that  fair  and  -liberal 


. 

.*.- 

142          ORATORS    OF   THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION.    - 

character  which  commonly  distinguishes  the  extensive 
and  affluent  merchant." 

It  was  natural  that  the  Boston  patriots  should  wish 
to  enlist  this  ardent  and  influential  citizen  in  the  popular 
cause.  The  manner  in  which  this  end  was  attained  is 
described  in  the  following  letter  from  John  Adams  to 
the  author  referred  to  above :  "  I  was  one  day  walking 
in  the  mall,  and  accidentally  met  Samuel  Adams.  In 
taking  a  few  turns  together,  \ve  came  in  full  view  of 
Mr.  Hancock's  house.  Mr.  Adams,  pointing  to  the 
stone  building,  said,  'This  town  has  done  a  wise  thing 
to  day.'  '  What  ?'  '  They  have  made  that  young  man's 
fortune  their  own.'  His  prophecy  was  literally  fulfilled, 
for  no  man's  property  was  ever  more  entirely  devoted 
to  the  public.  The  town  had  that  day  chosen  Mr. 
Hancock  into  the^^legislature  of  the  province.  The 
quivering  anxiety  of  the  puBTTcnDinder  the  fearful  looking- 
for  of  the  vengeance  of  king,  ministry,  and  parliament, 
compelled  him  to  a  constant  attendance  in  the  House, 
his  mind  was  soon  engrossed  by  public  cares,  alarms, 
and  terrors ;  his  business  was  left  to  subalterns,  his 
private  affairs  neglected,  and  continued  to  be  so  to  the 
end  of  his  life." 

Once  interested  in  the  cause  of  his  country,  he  put 
every  thing  at  stake,  and  incurred  the  most  violent 
hatred  of  England.  He  was  the  dignified  cavalier  of 
American  liberty.  In  the  proclamation  issued  by  Gen- 
eral Gage,  after  the  battle  of  Lexington,  and  a  few  days 
before  that  of  Bunker  Hill,  offering  pardon  to  the  rebels, 
he  and  Samuel  Adams  were  especially  excepted,  their 
offences  being  "  of  too  flagitious  a  nature  to  admit 


»•';***  •  :f      * 

JOHN    HANCOCK.  143 


of  any  other  consideration  than  that  of  condign  pun 
ishmeHt." 

When  the  Declaration  of'  Independence  was  to  be 
authenticated  by  the  signature  -of  the  president  .of 
Congress,  and  given  to  the  world,  Hancock  wrote-  hie 
name  in  a  bold  character,  that  was  evidently  designed 
never  to'be  erased. 

Hancock  arid  Adams,  by  their  station  in  popular 
esteem,  and  zeal  in  the  popular  cause,  succeeded  Otis 
as  the  object  of  parliamentary  insult  and  denunciation, 
as  is  evident  fr^m  abundant  instances  recorded  in  the 
debates  of  that  day.  The  two  following  are  extracted 
from  the  speeches  of  Mr.  Fox.  The  first  occurred  in 
a  debate  in  1779,  on  the  Irish  discontents,  when  he 
assailed  Mr.  Dundas,  and  illustrated  the  present  subject, 
by  allusions  to  former  measures  respecting  America  :  — 
"  What  was  the  consequence  of  the  sanguinary  mea- 
sures recommended  in  those  bloody,  inflammatory 
speeches  ?  Though  Boston  was  to-  be  starved,  though 
Hancock  and  Adams  were  proscribed  —  yet,  at  the  feet 
of  these  very  men,  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain 
were  obliged  to  kneel,  to  flatter,  and  to  cringe  ;  and  as 
they  had  the  cruelty  at  one  time  to  denounce  ven- 
geance against  those  men,,  so  they  had  the  meanness 
afterwards  to  prostrate  themselves  before  them,  and 
implore  their  forgiveness.  —  Was  he  who  called  the 
Americans'  'Hancock  and  his  crew,'  to  reprehend  any 
set  of  men  for  inflammatory  speeches  ?"  In  the  debate 
on  the  address  to  the  king,  in  1781,  speaking  of  the 
American  war,  he  said,  "They  (the  ministers)  com- 
menced war  against  America  after  that  country  had 


144  ORATOES    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

offered  the  fairest  propositions,  and  extended  her  arms 
to  receive  us  into  the  closest  connection.  They  did 
this  contrary  •  to  their  own  sentiments  of  what  was 
right,  but  they  were  over-ruled  by  that  high  and  secret 
authority,  which  they  durst  not  disobey,  and  from 
which  they  derive  their  situations.  They  were  ordered 
to  go  on  with  the  American  war  or  quit  their  places. 
They  preferred  emolument  to  duty,  and  kept  their 
ostensible  power  at  the  expense  of  their  country.  To 
delude  the  parliament  and  the  people,  they  then  described 
the  contest  to-  be  a  mere  squabble.  It  was  not  America 
with  whom  we  had  to  contend,  it  was  with  '  Hancock 
and  his  crew,'  a  handful  of  men  would  march  triumph- 
antly from  one  end  of  the  continent  to  the  other."  This 
was  the  language  sounded  in  that  House,  and  for  this 
language  a  learned  member  of  it  (Lord  Loughborough) 
was  exalted  to  the  dignity  of  a  peer,  and  enrolled 
among  the  hereditary  council  of  the  realm.  He  was 
thus  rewarded  for  no  other  merit,  that  he  could  discover, 
but  that  of  vehemently  abusing  our  fellow  subjects  in 
America,  and  calling  their  opposition,  the  war  of 
"Hancock  and  his  crew." 

Mr. .Hancock  was  indefatigable  in  his  patriotic  labors 
to  the  last  days  of  his  life.  The  author  of  "  Familiar 
Letters  on  Public  Characters,"  who  was  his  neighbor 
and  knew  him  well,  says  that  Hancock  was  mainly 
instrumental  in  causing  the  constitution  to  be  adopted 
in -Massachusetts.  "He  had  been  absent  some  days, 
from  illness.  On  the  31st  of  January,  1788,  he  resumed 
his  place,  and  after  remarking  on  the  difference  of 
opinion  which  prevailed  in  the  convention,  as  he  had 


JOHN    HANCOCK.  145 

seen  from  the  papers,  he  had  to  propose  that  the  con- 
stitution should  be  adopted ;  bub  thai  the  adoption 
should  -be  accompanied  by  certain  amendments,  to  be 
submitted  to  Congress,  and  to  the  States.  He  expressed 
his  belief,  that  it  would  be  safe  to  adopt  the  constitution, 
under  the  expectation  that  the  amendments  would  be 
ratified.  The  discussion  appears  then,  to  have  turned 
on  the  probability  of  obtaining  such  ratification.  It 
cannot  be  assumed,  for  certainty,  that  this  measure  of 
Hancock's  secured  the  adoption ;  but  it  is  highly  proba- 
ble. The  convention  may  have  been  influenced  by 
another  circumstance.  About  this  time  a  great  meet- 
ing of  mechanics  was  held  at  the  Green  Dragon  tavern, 
situated  in  what  is  now  part  of  Union  street,  and 
westerly  wf'the  Baptist  meeting-house.  The  tavern  and 
the  street  were  thronged.  At  this  meeting  resolutions 
were  passed,  with  unanimity  and  acclamation,  in  favor 
of  the  adoption.  But  notwithstanding  Hancock's  con- 
ciliatory proposal,  and  this  expression  of  public  feeling, 
the  constitution  was  adopted  by  the  small  majority  of 
nineteen  out  of  three  hundred  and  fifty-five  votes. 

"  The  adoption  was  celebrated  in  Boston  by  a  memo- 
rable procession,  in  which  the  various  orders  of  mechan- 
ics displayed  appropriate  banners.  It  was  hailed  with 
joy  throughout  the  States.  General  Washington  is  well 
known  to  have  expressed  his  heartfelt  satisfaction  that 
the  important  State  of  Massachusetts  had  acceded  to 
the  union." 

The  talents  of  Hancock  were  useful,  rather  than 
brilliant.  His  personal  dignity  and  great  practical  skill 
in  business,  rendered  him  a  superior  presiding  officer  in 
7 


146  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

deliberative  assemblies.  His  voice  was  sonorous,  his 
apprehensions-were  quick,  and  his  knowledge  of  par- 
liamentary forms,  combined  with  his  well  known  devo- 
tion to  the  popular  cause,  rendered  him  the  object  of 
universal  respect. 

When  Washington  consulted  the  legislature  of  Mas- 
sachusetts upon  the  propriety  of  bombarding  Boston, 
Hancock  advised  its  being  done  immediately,  if  it 
would  benefit  the  cause,  although  the  most  of  his 
immense  property  consisted  in  houses  and  other  real 
estate  in  that  town. 

But  Hancock  was  ready  to  sacrifice  more  than  pro- 
perty,'more  than  life  even  ;  if  necessary,  he  was  willing 
to  sacrifice  his  popularity  in  aid  of  the  cause  of  national 
freedom.  Though  in  this  matter  he  was  a  man  of  deeds 
more  than  words,  yet  he  shunned  not  in  the  most  public 
and  forcible  manner  to  express  the  most  ardent  and 
patriotic  sentiments. 

In  the  very  darkest  hour  of  colonial  despair,  he  came 
boldly  forward  in  an  exercise  commemorative  of  those 
who  fell  in  the  unhappy  collision  with  British  soldiers 
in  State  street,  and  in  his  "  Oration  on  the  Massacre," 
as  it  was  called,  poured  forth  the  following  terrible 
denunciations : 

"Let  this  sad  tale  of  death  never  be  told  without  a 
tear;  let  not  the  heaving  bosom,  ce-ase  to  burn  with  a 
manly  indignation  at  the  relation  of  it,  through  the  long 
tracts  of  future  time  ;  let  every  parent  tell  the  shameful 
story  to  his  listening  children  till  tears  of  pity  glisten 
in  their  eyes,  or  boiling  passion  shakes  their  tender 
frames. 


JOHN    HANCOCK.  147 

"Dark  and  designing  knaves,  murderers,  parricides.! 
how  dare  you  .tread  upon  the  hearth  which  has  drunk 
the  blood  of  slaughtered  innocence,  shed  by  your  hands  ? 
How  dare  you  breathe  that  air  which  wafted  to  the  ear 
of  heaven  the  groans  of  those  who  fell  a  sacrifice  to 
your  accursed  ambition  ?  But  if  the  laboring  earth 
does  not  expand  her  jaws — if  the  air  you  breathe  is  not 
commissioned  to  be  the  minister  of  death — yet,  hear  it, 
and  tremble !  The  eye  of  heaven  penetrates  the  secret 
chambers  of  the  soul ;  and  you,  though  screened  from 
human  observation,  must  be  arraigned — must .  lift  your 
hands,  red  with,  the  blood  of  those  whose  death  you 
have  procured  at  the  tremendous  bar  of  God."  . 

In  an  oration  delivered  in  Boston,  on  the  5th  of 
March,  1774,  Mr.  Hancock  concluded  with  the  follow- 
ing excellent  remarks : 

"  I  have  the  most  animating  confidence,  that  the  pre- 
sent noble  struggle  for  liberty  will-4erminate  gloriously 
for  America.  And  let  uy  play  the  man  for  our  God, 
and  for  the  cities  of  our  God  ;  while  we  are  using  the 
means  in  our  power,  let  us  humbly  commit  our  right- 
eous cause  to  the  great  Lord  of  the  universe,  who  loveth 
righteousness  and  hateth  iniquity.  And  having  secured 
the  approbation  of  our  hearts,  by  a  faithful  and  unwea- 
ried discharge  of  our  duty  to  our  country,  let  us  joyfully 
leave  our  concerns  in  the  hands  of  Him  who  raiseth  up 
and  pulleth  down  the  empires  and  kjngdoms  of  the  world." 

The  Greeks  had  a  saying  that  every  man  lived  as  he 
spoke ;  and  Quinctilian  telk  us  that  it  used  to  be  said  of 
Caesar,  that  he  always  spoke  with  the  same  mind  as  that 
with  which  he  conducted  war.  Hancock  was  natu- 


J 

148  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

rally  energetic,  and  in  his  happier  inspirations  he  was 
very  eloquent.  Under  his  oratorical  sway,  his  cotem- 
poraries  were  sometimes  greatly  moved. 

"Their  listening  powers 

Were  awed,  and  every  thought  in  silence  hung, 
And  wondering  expectation." 

New  England  has  ever  been  fruitful  of  ripe  scholars 
and  effective  speakers.  Why  is  this?  Why  should 
vivid  imagination,  blended  with  sound  judgment,  abound 
in  that  frigid  region  ?  We  think  that  several  causes 
tend  to  produce  the  result ;  and  among  the  first  is  the 
fact  of  its  high  northern  latitude  and  rugged  soil. 

Edward  Everett, speaking  on  this  topic,  well  remarks: 
"  The  qualities  of  our  climate  and  soil  enter  largely  in 
other  ways  into  that  natural  basis,  on  which  our  pros- 
perity and  our  freedom  have  been  reared.  It  is  these 
which  distinguish  'the  smiling  aspect  of  our  busy, 
thriving  villages  from  the  lucrative  desolation  of  the 
sugar  islands,  and  all  the  wide-spread,  undescribed,  inde- 
scribable miseries  of  the  colonial  system  of  modern 
Europe,  as  it  has  existed  beyond  the  barrier  of  these 
mtghty  oceans,  in  the  unvisited,  unprotected,  and  un- 
avenged recesses  of  either  India.  We  have  had  abun- 
dant reason  to  be  contented  with  this  austere  sky,  this 
hard,  unyielding  soil.  Poor  as  it  is,  it  has  left  us  no 
cause  to  sigh  for  the  luxuries  of  the  tropics,  nor  to  covet 
the  mines  of  the  southern  regions  of  our  hemisphere. 
Our  rough  and  hardly  subdued  hill-sides  and  barren 
plains  have  produced  us  that,  which  neither  ores;  nor 
spices,  nor  sweets  could  purchase, — which  would  not 


«• 

H: 


JOHN    HANCOCK.  149 

spring  in  the  richest  gardens  of  the  despotic  East.  The 
compact  numbers  and  the  strength,  the  general  intelli- 
gence and  the  civilization,  which,  since  the  world  began, 
wei-e  never  exhibited  beneath  the  sultry  line,  have  been 
the  precious  product  of  this  iron-bound  coast.  The 
rocks  and  the  sands,  which  would  yield  us  neither  the 
cane  nor  the  coffee  tree,  have  yielded  us,  not  only  an 
abundance  and  a  growth  in  resources,  rarely  consistent 
with  the  treacherous  profusion  of  tropical  colonies,  but 
the  habits,  the  manners,  the  institutions,  the  industrious 
population,  the  schools  and  the  churches,  beyond  all  the 
wealth  of  all  the  Indies. 

'Man  is  the  nobler  growth  our  soil  supplies, 
And  souls  are  ripened  in  our  northern  skies.' 

"  Describe  to  me  a  country  rich  in  veins  of  fhe  pre- 
cious metals,  that  is  traversed  by  good  roads.  Inform 
me  of  the  convenience  of  bridges,  where  the  rivers  roll 
over  golden  sands.  Tell  -me  of  a  thrifty,  prosperous  vil- 
lage of  freemen,  in  the  miserable  districts  where  every 
clod  of  the  earth  is  kfieaded  up  for  diamonds,  beneath 
the  lash  of  the  task-master.  No,  never  !  while  the  con- 
stitution, not  of  States,  but  of  human  nature,  remains 
the  same  ;  never,  while  the  laws,  »ot  of  civil  society, 
but  of  God  are  unrepealed,  will  there  be  a  hardy,  virtu- 
ous, independent  yeomanry,  in  -regions  where  two  acres 
of  untilled  banana  will  feed  a  hundred  men.  It  is  idle 
to  call  that  food,  which  can  never  feed  a  free,  intelligent, 
industrious  population.  It  is  not  food;  it  is  dust  ;  it  is 
chaff;  it  is  ashes  ;  there-  is  no  nourishment  in  it,  if  it  be 


*         * 

4- 

150  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMEftlCAN    REVOLUTION. 

not  caoefully  sown,  and  painfully  reaped,  by  laborious 
freemen,  on  their  own  fee-simple  acres." 

In  hardy  industry,  the  body  becomes  healthy  and  ath- 
letic ;  while  the  mind,  by  like  discipline,  grows  free  and 
mighty  in  its  freedom.  It  is  to  be  expected,  under  such 
circumstances,  that  a  race  of  men  will  spring  up  in  full 
maturity,  as  from  the  sowing  of  Cadmus.  Such  per- 
sons enjoy  the  highest  liberty,  and  are  prompt  to  defend 
their  rights,  exclaiming, 

"  Seize  then,  my  soul!  from  Freedom's  trophied  dome, 
The  harp  which  hangeth  high  between  the  shields, 
Of  Brutus  and  Leonidas  !     With  that 
Strong  music,  that  soliciting  spell,  force  back 
Earth's  free  and  stirring  spirit  that  lies  entranced." 

New  England  has  a  sterile  soil  and  severe  clime  ;  but 
she  also  has  comfortable  school-rooms  and  a  copious  lite- 
rature, and  these  are  the  products  and  proofs  of  her 
greatest  power.  Our  distinguished  countryman,  Mr. 
Wheaton,  in  his  history  of  the  Northmen,  indicates  the 
reasons  why  they  are  passionately  attached  to  their 
bleak  homes,  and  why  they  are  not  only  happy  there, 
but  intelligent  beyond  the  majority  of  mankind.  Before 
the  tenth  century,  Iceland  possessed  a  national  litera- 
ture in  full  bloom.  The  flowers-  of  poetry  sprang  up 
luxuriantly  amidst  eternal  ice  and  snows.  Ennobling 
wisdom  and  beautifying  art  were  cultivated  with  suc- 
cess." How  so  ?  The  Icelanders  were  free  and  inde- 
pendent. Their  arctic  isle  was  not  warmed  by  a  Gre- 
cian sun,  but  their  hearts  glowed  with  the  fire  of  free- 
dom. The  natural  divisions  of  the  country  by  icebergs 


.*  * 

A 

JOHN    HANCOCK.  151 

and  lava  streams,  insulated  the  people  from  each^pther, 
and  the  inhabitants  of  each  valley  and  each  hamlet 
formed,  as  it  were,  an  independent  community.  These 
were  again  re-united  in  the  general  national  assembly 
of  the  Althiag,  which  resembled  the  Amphyctiontic 
Council  or  Olympic  Games,  where  all  the  tribes  of  the 
nation  convened  to  offer  the  common  rites  of  their  re- 
ligion, to  legislate  on  general  affairs,  and  to  listen  to  the 
lays  of  the  Skald  and  the  eloquent  eulogy  which  com- 
memorated the  exploits  of  their  ancestors.  The  best 
writers  of  England  and  Germany  have  been  translated 
into  Icelandic,  and  when  each  family  pursues  its  avoca- 
tions through  dreary  winters,  assembled  around  the 
reading  and  working  lamp  pendant  from  each  roof,  it  is 
the  business  of  some  one  constantly  to  read  aloud  from 
favorite  authors,  a  practice  which  explains  why  the 
people  are  free,  and  their  intellects  both  elegant  and  pro- 
found. 

It  is  not  often  that  education  becomes  subservient  to 
the  cause  of  tyranny.  France,  in  three  revolutions, 
poured  forth  her  scholars  to  protect  popular  rights. 
Elevated  institutions  of  learning  have  almost  always 
arrayed  themselves  on  the  side  of  liberty.  The  Univer- 
sity of  Oxford  presents  -a  melancholy  exception,  in 
connection  with  the  era  when  the  spirit  of  republicanism 
was  extinguished  for  a  time,  in  the  blood  of  Sidney  and 
Russell.  In  direct  reference  to  the  death  of  these 
patriots,  while  the  block  was  yet  reeking  with  their 
blood,  that  iustitution,  in  solemn  convocation,  declared 
that  the  principles  for  which  they  died — that  civil  au- 
thority is  derived  .from  the  people — that  government  is 


152          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

a  mutual  compact  between  the  sovereign  and  the  sub- 
ject— that  the  latter  is  discharged  from  his  obligation 
if  the  former  fail  to  perform  his — that  birthright  gives 
no  exclusive  right  to  govern — were  "damnable  doc- 
trines, impious  principles,  fitted  to  deprave  the  manners 
and  corrupt  the  minds  of  men,  promote  seditions,  .over- 
turn states,  induce  murder,  and  lead  to  atheism."  But, 
when,  in  the  Colonies  of  America,  gathered  and  burst 
the  tempest  which  threatened  to  "  push  from  its  moor- 
ings the  sacred  ark  of  the  common  safety,  and  to  drive 
the  gallant  vessel,  freighted  with  every  thing  dear,  upon 
the  rocks,  or  lay  it  a  sheer  hulk  upon  the  ocean,"  then 
did  the  graduates  of  our  colleges  appear  in  the  front 
rank  of  heroes,  powerful  to  "ride  on  the  whirlwind  and 
direct  the  storm." 

Accuracy  of  observation  is  a  trait  in  New  England 
minds  as  prominent  as  that  of  patient  investigation. 
An  incident  in  the  life  of  the  German  poet,  Schiller, 
will  illustrate  this  characteristic.  His  father  once 
found  him,  perched  in  a  solitary  place  on  a  tree,  gazing 
at  the  tempestuous  sky,  and  watching  the  flashes  of 
lightning  as  luridly  they  gleamed  over  it.  To  the 
reprimands  of  his  parent,  the  enthusiastic  truant  plead 
in  extenuation  "  that  the  lightning  was  very  beautiful, 
and  that  he  wished  to  see  where  it  was  coming  from." 
And  so  of  the  Yankees,  they  will  climb,  if  possible,  to 
the  sources  of  the  sublime,  and  earnestly  inquire  whence 
every  thing  beautiful  is  derived. 

But,  perhaps,  that  which  gives  most  force  and  prac- 
ticalness to  the  oratory  of  the  eastern  States,  is  the 
influence  which  the  Bible  and  religious  institutions 


JOHN    HANCOCK.  15S 

every  where  exert  on  the  popular  mind.  It  is  unneces- 
sary to  multiply  proofs  of  the  divine  power  of  religion 
in  forming  an  effective  style  of  written  language  and, 
living  speech.  Dryden  attributes  his  excellence  in 
prose  composition,  to  the  frequent  perusal  of  Tillotson's 
works ;  and  Lord  Chatham,  when  asked  the  secret  of 
his  elevated  and  eloquent  style,  replied  that  he  had 
often  learned  Dr.  Barrow's  sermons  by  heart. 

If  we  carefully  analyze  the  speeches  of  the  greatest 
orators  of  Christendom,  living  and  dead,  we  shall  find 
them  indebted  for  their  best  passages  to  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures. The  influence  of  these  on  the  mind  of  a  true 
orator  is  well  set  forth  in  the  following  passage  descrip- 
tive of  Curran.  "In  the  course  of  his  eloquence,  the 
classic  treasures  of  profane  antiquity  are  exhausted. 
He  draws  fresh  supplies  from  the  sacred  fountain  of 
living  waters.  The  records  of  hdy  writ  afford  him  the 
sublimest  allusions.  It  is  there  he  stirs  every  principle 
that  agitates  the  heart  or  sways  the  conscience,  carries 
his  auditory  whither  he  pleases,  ascends  from  man  to 
the  Deity,  and,  again,  almost  seems  to  call  down  to 
earth  fire  from  heaven.  While  they  who  listen,  filled 
with  a  sense  of  inward  greatness;  feel  the  high  nobility 
of  their  nature  in  beholding  a  being  of  the  same  species 
gifted  with  such  transcendent  qualities,  and,  wrapt  in 
wonder  and  delight,  have  a  momentary  relief, — that  to 
admire  the  talents,  is  to  participate  in  the  genius  of  the 
orator." 

Mr.  Pickering  has  left  us  the  following  description  of 
the  personal  appearance  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch : 

"  In    June,   1782,  Governor   Hancock  had  the  ap- 
7* 


154          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

pearance  of  advanced  age,  though  only  forty-five.  He 
had  been  repeatedly  and  severely  afflicted  with  the  gout, 
3,  disease  much  more  common  in  those  days  than  it 
now  is,  while  dyspepsia,  if  it  existed  at  all,  was  not 
known  by  that  name.  As  recollected,  at  this  time, 
Gov.  Hancock  was  nearly  six  feet  in  stature,  and  of 
thin  person,  stopping  a  little,  and  apparently  enfeebled 
by  disease.  His  manners  were  very  gracious,  of  the 
old  style  of  dignified  complaisance.  His  face  had  been 
very  handsome.  Dress  was  adapted  quite  as  much  to 
be  ornamental  as  useful.  Gentlemen  wore  wigs  when 
abroad,  and.  commonly,  caps  when  at  home.  At  this 
time  (June,  1782),  about  noon,  Hancock  was  dressed 
in  a  red  velvet  cap,  within  which  was  one  of  fine  linen. 
The  latter  was  turned  up  over  the  lower  edge  of  the 
velvet  one,  two  or  three  inches.  He  wore  a  blue 
damask  gown,  lined  with  silk ;  a  white  stock,  a  whke 
satin  embroidered  waistcoat,  black  satin  small-clothes, 
white  silk  stockings,  and  red  morocco  slippers."  ' 

After  having  suffered  severely  for  several  years  from 
gout,  he  died,  as  before  stated,  in  October,  1793,  aged 
fifty-six.  His  body  lay  in  state  at  his  mansion  for 
some  days,  and  then  w*as  interred  with  extraordinary 
demonstrations  of  public  grief. 

"  How  peaceful  and  how  powerful  is  the  grave  !" 


x 


' 


-         -*.-.*& 


4 


*^JT 
^* 


CHAPTER   VI. 


JOSEPH   WARREN, 


TYPE   OF  OUR-  MARTIAL  ELOQUENCE. 

vfjfr    f-. 

BEFORE  proceeding  to  the  main  object  of  the  present 
sketch,  let  us  briefly  review  the  circumstances  whicli 
compelled  our  fathers  to  the  employment  of  military 
force  in  the  conquest  of  personal  and  national  freedom. 

The  British  cabinet  attempted  to  tax  the  Colonies, 
under  the  pretence  of  providing  for  their  protection,  but 
in  reality  to  relieve  the  nation  from  the  enormous  debt 
under  which  Great  Britain  was  oppressed.  In  March, 
1764,  as  a  prelude  to  the  Stamp-  Act,  the  House  of  Com- 
mons resolved,  "  That  towards  further  defraying  the 
necessary  expenses  of  protecting  the  Colonies,  it  may  be 
necessary  to  charge  certain  stamp  duties  upon  them  ;" 
and  this  resolution  was  followed  by  what  was  commonly 
called  the  Sugar  Act,  passed  on  the  5th  of  April,  pre- 
faced by  the  following  obnoxious  preamble  :  "  Whereas 
it  is  JUST  and  necessary  that  a  revenue  be  raised  in 
America,  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  defending,  pro- 
tecting, and  securing  the  same  ;  we,  the  commons,  &c., 
towards  raising,  the  same,  give  and  grant  unto  your 
Majesty,  after  the  29th  day  of  September,  1764,  on  clay- 

/i^'"    '  ^f^ 


• 
• 

156  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

ed  sugar,  indigo,  and  coffee,  &c.,'&c.,  the  sum  of,"  &c. 
This  measure,  declared  by  parliament  to  be  -so  just,  was 
regarded  by  its  subjects  here  as  oppressive  and  tyranni- 
cal, and  as  such  they  treated  it.  It  is  literally  true  that 
they  waged  war  against  a  preamble. 

Having  passed  both  Houses  of  Parliament,  on  the 
22d  of  March,  the  Stamp- Act  received  the  royal  assent. 
Dr.  Franklin,  then  in  England,  as  agent  for  Pennsyl- 
vania, wrote  to  Charles  Thompson,  afterwards  Secretary 
of  Congress — "  The  sun  of  liberty  is  set ;  you  must  light 
up  the  lamps  of  industry  and  economy."  Mr.  Thomp- 
son significantly  replied,  "  That  he  thought  other  lights 
would  be  lighted  up  to  resist  these  unconstitutional  mea- 
sures." The  Colonies  were  immediately  and  deeply 
aroused.  The  pulpit,  especially,  in  New  England,  la- 
bored in  the  patriotic  cause  with  great  .zeal  and  effect. 
The  fires  of  liberty  were  kindled  in  every  vale  and  on 
eveiy  hill,  spreading  their  heat. and  light  from  province 
to  province,  until  the  conflagration  embraced  the  whole 

land. 

. 

In  Virginia  the  cry  of  -resistance  resounded  in  tones 
of  thunder.  In  New  York,  ten  boxes  of  stamps  ^ere 
seized  by  the  populace,  and  destroyed.  In  Massachu- 
setts, the  strife  was  sterner  still,  and -there,  under  the 
violence  of  hired  ruffians,  the  first  martyrs  to  American 
liberty  fell.  Otis,  the  invincible  advocate,  was  mutilated 
by  the  bludgeons  and  dirks  of  assassins,  Gray  and  other 
worthy  citizens  were  shot  down  in  -the  streets,  and,  in 
the  great  battle  which  these  and  other  outrages  had 
hastened,  Warren  expired. 

Joseph  Warren  was  born  in  Roxbury,  in  1774.    When 


JOSEPH    WARREN.  157 

fourteen  years  old,  he  entered  Harvard  college,  where  he  *-. 
bore  a  high  character,  and  graduated  with  distinction. 
Under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Lloyd,  he  studied  medicine, 
and  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  became  a  distinguished 
practitioner  in  the  town,  of  Boston. 

But  .he  soon  became  absorbed  in  the  great  questions 
of  the  day,  and  sacrificed  the  fairest  prospects  for  wealth 
and  luxurious  ease  to  perpetual  toil  in  behalf  of  his 
country.  In  1768,  Dr.  Warren  addressed  a  letter  to 
Governor  Bernard,  which  the  minions  of  royalty  re- 
garded as  libellous,  and  an  attempt  was  made  to  silence 
the  author  by  an  indictment,  but  the  grand  jury  refused 
to  find  9.  bill.  Nothing  daunted,  our  hero  became  more 
busy  than  ever  with  both  pen  and  tongue,  and  as  the 
affection  with  which  he  was  regarded,  especially  by  the 
industrious  classes,  was  universal  and  sincere,  his  in- 
fluence upon  all  ranks  was  very  great. 

In  the  most  open  scenes  and  in  the  presence  of  the 
most  envenomed  foes,  he  was  explicit  in  the  assertion  of 
republican  sentiments  and  fearless  in  opposition  to  regal 
arrogance.  A  memorable  instance  illustrative  of  his 
character  occurred  in  1775.  Several  years  before  he 
had  delivered  the  annual  pration,  commemorative  of  the 
massacre  of  the  5th  of  March,  1760,  and  when  the  time 
arrived  for  the  appointment  of  an  orator  for  1775,  he 
solicited  the  honor  of  appearing  on  that  occasion  in 
consequence  of  a  threat  uttered  by  some  of  the  British 
officers,  that  they  would  take  the  life  of  any  man-  who 
should  dare  to  speak  of  the  massacre  on  that  anniver- 
sary. The  day  arrived,  and  the  "  Old  South"  was  filled 


158  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

to  overflowing ;  the  aisles,  the  stairs,  and  even  the  pul- 
pit, were  occupied  by  a  foreign  military.  The  intrepid 
orator  made  his  entrance  by  a  ladder  at  the  pulpit  win- 
dow, and  with  cool,  collected  rnein,  addressed  the  im- 
mense auditory.  An  awful  stillness  preceded  the  exor- 
dium. Each  man  felt  the  palpitations  of  his  own  heart, 
and  saw  the  pale  but  determined  face  of  his  neighbor. 
The  speaker  began  his  oration  in  a  firm  tone  of  voice, 
and  proceeded  with  great  energy  and  pathos.  Warren 
and  his  friends  were  prepared  to  chastise  contumely, 
and  avenge  an  attempt  at  assassination. 

"  The  scene  was  sublime.  A  patriot,  in  whom  the 
flusTi  of  youlh  and  the  grace  and  dignity  of  manhood 
were  combined,  stood  armed  In  the  sanctuary  of  God,  to 
animate  and  encourage  the  sons  of  liberty,  and  to  hurl 
defiance  at  their  oppressors.  The  orator  commenced 
with  the  early  history"  of  the  country,  described  the 
tenure  by  which  we  held  our  liberties  and  property,  the 
affection  we  had  constantly  shown  the  parent  country, 
boldly  told  them  how,  and  by  whom  these  blessings  of 
life'  had  been  violated.  There  was  in  this  appeal  to 
Britain — in  this  description  of  suffering,  agony,  and 
horror,  a,  calm  and  high-souled  defiance  which  must 
have  chilled  the  blood  of  every  sensible  foe.  Such  an- 
other hour  has  seldom  happened  in  the  history  of  man, 
and  is  not  surpassed  in  the  records  of  nations.  The 
thunder  of  Demosthenes  rolled  at  a  distance  from  Philip 
and  his  host — and  Tully  poured  the  fiercest  torrent  of 
his  invective  when  Cataline  was  at  a  distance,  and  his 
dagger  no  longer  to  be  feared;  but  Warren's  speech 


JOSEPH    WARREN.  159 

was  made  to  proud  oppressors,  resting  on  their  arms, 
whose  errand  it  was  to  overawe,  and  whose  business  it 
was  to  fight. 

If  the  deed  of  Brutus  deserved  to  be  commemorated 
by  history,  poetry,  painting,  and  sculpture,  should  not 
this  instance  of  patriotism  and  bravery  be  held  in  last- 
ing remembrance  ?  If  he 

"  That  struck  the  foremost  man  of  all  this  world," 

was  hailed  as  the  first  of  freemen,  what  honors  are  not 
due  to  him,  who,  undismayed,  bearded  the  British  Hoo, 
to  show  the  world  what  his  countrymen  dared  to  do  in 
the  cause  of  liberty  ?  If  the  statue  of  Brutus  was  placed 
among  those  of  the  gods,  who  were  the  preservers  of 
Roman  freedom,  should  not  that  of  Warren  fill  a  lofty 
niche  in  the  temple  reared  to  perpetuate  the  remem- 
brance of  our  birth  as  a  nation  ?" 

An  extract  from  this  oration  will  be  adduced,  when 
we  come  to  speak  of  Warren's  eloquence.  We  are 
now  more  particularly  concerned  with  his  bravery.  On 
hearing  of  the  conflict  at  Lexington  he  hastened  to  the 
bloody  scene  and  shared  in  -its  perils.  While  pressing 
on  the  foe,  a  musket-ball  took  off  a  lock  of  his  hair  close 
^Jx>  his  ear.  Previous  to  receivipg  the  appointment  of 
major-general,  he  had  been  requested  to  take  the  office 
of  physician-general  to  the  army,  but  he  chose  to  be 
where  wounds  were  to  be  made,  rather  than  where  they 
were  to  be  healed.  Yet  he  lent  his  aid  to  the  medical 
department  of  the  army,  and  was  of  great  service  in  its 
organization. 


160  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

Several  days  before  the  battle  'of  Bunker  Hill,  the 
Provincial  Congress  appointed  Dr.  Warren  to  the  com- 
mand of  their  forces.  The  motive  for  not  assuming 
the  functions  of  that  office,  and  the  manner  in  which  he 
chose  to  conduct  himself  on  that  occasion,  are  detailed 
as  follows,  in  Austin's  Life  of  Elbridge  Gerry :  "  On  the 
16th  of  June,  he  had  a  conversation  with  Mr.  Gerry,  at 
Cambridge,  respecting  the  determination  of  Congress  to 
take  possession  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  said  that  for  him- 
self he  had  been  opposed  to  it,  but  that  the  majority  had 
determined  upon  it,  and  he  would  hazard  his  life  to  carry 
their  determination  into  effect.  Mr.  Gerry  expressed  in 
strong  terms  his  disapprobation  of  the  measure,  as  the 
situation  was  such  that  it  would  be  in  vain  to  attempt 
to  hold  k,  adding,  'but  if  it  must  be  so,  it  is  not  worth 
while  for  you  to  be  present ;  it  will  be  madness  to  ex- 
pose yourself,  when  your  destruction  will  be  almost  in- 
evitable.' ' I  know  it,' he  answered ;  'but  I  live  within 
the  sound  of  their  cannon ;  how  could  I  hear  their  roar- 
ing in  so  glorious  a  cause,  and  not  be  there !'  Again, 
Mr.  Gerry  remonstrated,  and  concluded  with  saying, 
'As  surely  as  you  go  there,  you  will  be  slain  !'  General 
Warren  replied  enthusiastically,  '  Dulce  et  decorum  est 
pro  patria  mori.'  The  next  day  his  principles  were 
sealed  with  his  blood.  Having  spent  the  greater  part 
of  the  night  in  public  business  at  Watertown,  he  arrived 
at  Cambridge  at  about  five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and 
being  unwell,  threw  himself  on  a  bed.  About  noon,  he 
was  informed  of  the  state  of  preparation  for  battle  at 
Charlestown ;  he  immediately  arose,  saying  he  was  well 


JOSEPH    BARREN.  161 

again,  and  mounting%  horse,  rode  to  the  place.  He  ar- 
rived at  Breed's  Hill  a  short  time  before  the  action  com- 
menced. Colonel  Prescott,  'the  brave,'  (as  Washing- 
ton was  afterwards  in  the  habit  of  calling  him,)  was  -then 
the  actual  commanding  officer.  He  came  up  to  General 
Warren  to  resign  his  command,  and  asked  what  were 
his  orders.  General  Warren  told  him  he  came  not  to 
command,  but  to  learn;  and  having,  as  it  is  said,  bor- 
rowed a  musket  and  cartouch-box,  from  a  sergeant  who 
was  retiring,  he  mingled  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight, 
animating  and  encouraging  the  men  more  by  his  exam- 
ple than  it  was  possible  to  do  in  any  other  way.  He 
fell  after  the  retreat  commenced,  at  some  distance  in  the 
rear  of  the  redoubt.  A  ball  passed  through  his  head, 
and  killed  him  almost  instantly.  He  was  thrown  into 
the  ground  where  he  fell." 

General  Warren  may  be  taken  as  a  type  of  our  mar- 
tial eloquence,  .as  well  as  a  specimen  of  the  highest 
bravery.  His  career  was  brief,  auspicious  in  its  xlawn,. 
diversified  in  its  progress,  but  glorious  in  its  termination 
and  subsequent  influence  on  the  welfare  of  man.  He 
cast  himself  into  the  front  ranks  of  the  Revolution,  and 
sacrificed  himself  the  first  victim  of  rank  in,  the  sublime 
struggle  for  national  independence. 

While  yet  a  student  in  college,  he  bore  the  reputation 
of  great  talents,  Undaunted  courage,  and  a  generous  but 
indomitable  independence  of  spirit.  His  manly  life  did 
not  belie  the  promise  of  his  youth.  His  magnanimous 
spirit  soon  became  tempered  in  the  furnace  of  national 
suffering.  His  mental  vision  was  therein  clarified  like 


162  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

a  prophet's,  and  like  one  inspired"  he  proclaimed  the 
triumph  for  which-  he  was  ready  to  die. 

To  his  friend,  Josiah  Quincy,  jr.,  then  in  London, 
advocating  the  claims  of  his  country,  he  wrote  the 
following  memorable  note,  dated, 

"BOSTON,  Nov.  21st,  1774. 

"  It  is  the  united  voice  of  America  to  preserve  their 
freedom,  or  lose  their  lives  in  defence  of  it.  Their  reso- 
lutions are  not  the  effects  of  inconsiderate  rashness,  but 
the  sound  result  of  sober  inquiry  and  deliberation.  I 
am  convinced  that  the  true  spirit  of  liberty  was  never 
so  universally  diffused  through  all  ranks  and  orders  of 
people,  in  any  country  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  as  it 
now  is  through  all  North  America." 

The  times  in  which  General  Warren  appeared  were 
calculated  to  give  a  martial  hue  to  men's  minds,  and 
powerfully  to  urge  them  to  deeds  of  valor.  By  a  little 
effort  a  fine  collection  of  anecdotes  might  be  made,  to 
illustrate  the  determined  resolution  and  ardent  enthu- 
siasm, that  pervaded  the  country.  The  instance  of 
General  Putnam  is  well  known,  who.  hearing  of  the 
Lexington  engagement  while  he  was  ploughing  on  his 
farm,  more  than  a  hundred  miles  distant,  unyoked  Jus 
cattle,  left  his  plough  in  the  unfinished  furrow,  and  with- 
out changing  his  dress,  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  off 
to  Cambridge,  to  lear»  the  state  of  things.  He  then 
returned  to  Connecticut  and  brought  a  regiment  in  the 
course  of  a  few  weeks.  Among  other  examples  that 
might  be  related,  the  following  is  from  a  living  witness : 
The  day  that  the  report  of  this  affair  reached  Barnstable, 
a  company  of  militia  immediately  assembled  and  marched 


JOSEPH    WARREN.  163 

off  to  Cambridge.  In  the  front  rank,  there  was  a  young 
man,  the  son  of  a  respectable  farmer,  and  his  only  child. 
In  marching  from  the  village,  as  they  passed  his  house, 
he  came  out  to  meet  them.  There  was  a  momentary 
halt,  the  drum  and  fife  paused  for  an  instant.  The  father, 
suppressing  a  strong  and  evident  emotion,  said,  "God 
be  with  you  all,  my  friends !  and  John,  if  you",  my  son, 
are  called  into,  battle,  take  care  that  you  behave  like  a 
man,  or  else  let  me  never  see  your  face  again !"  A  tear 
started  into  every  eye,  and  the  march  was  resumed.  It 
was  with  this  spirit  that  the  noblest  heroes  of  antiquity 
spoke  and  acted.  "The  forests  of  our  arrows  will  ob- 
scure the  sun,"  said  Xerxes.  "  So  much  the  better," 
replied  Leonidas,  "  for  then  we  shall  fight  in  the  shade." 

Warren  was  himself  but  a  vivid  reflection  of  the 
popular  feeling  and  its  strong  expression.  The  instincts 
of  a  true  soul  are  sure  ;  all  the  strength  and  all  the 
divinity  of  knowledge  lie  enwrapped  in  some  of  the 
soul's  profounder  feelings. 

Great  national  commotions,  like  the  American  Revo- 
lution, generally  elicit  martial  orators,  whose  eloquence 
is  like  their  profession,  full  of  thrusts  the  most  piercing, 
and  of  blows  the  most  deadly.  The  son  of.  Macedonia 
and  pupil  of  Aristotle,  captivated  Greeks  and  Barbarians 
as  much  by  his  eloquence  as  by  "his  martial  victories. 
Caesar  commanded  the  Roman  legions  by  the  regal 
power  of  his  speech.  The  great  military  eloquence  of 
France--\vas  born  amid  the  first  shocks  of  tyranny  and 
freedom.  Napoleon,  by  a  sudden  blow  of  martial  fire, 
embodied  in  words  that  spoke  like  exploding  cannon, 
seized  upon  the  old  generals  of  the  republic,  upon  the 


164  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

army,  and  upon  his  nation, — the  irresistible  empire  of 
victory  and  of  genius. 

But  Warren  aspired  only  for  personal  rights  and 
national  independence.  For  this  he  plead  and  fought 
with  all  the  power  he  possessed,  body  and  soul.  He 
felt  the  value  of  the  boon,  and  put  every  thing,  except 
honor,  in  jeopardy  to  attain  it.  To -convince,  one  must 
be  convinced ;  he  must  have  something  at  stake,  he 
must  have  character. 

As  the  storm  thickened,  and  ordinary  souls  quailed  at 
its  lowering  aspect  and  rapid  approach,  Warren  stood 
unblenched.  When  the  awful  crisis  actually  had  come, 
he  coolly  buckled  on  his  armor,  and  only  as  he  snuffed 
the  hot  breath  of  battle,  did  he  rise  to  the  full  height  of 
his  native  grandeur.  Then  with  bosom  bared  to  the 
fiercest  blows,  and  with  heart  throbbing  high  for  his 
country's  welfare,  he  rushed  to  the  deadliest  breach, 
diffusing  animation  among  friends  and  consternation  to 
foes.  It  is  easy  to  conceive  him  careering  amid  the 
carnage  on  Bunker's  heights,  like  Homer's  hero  on  the 
plains  of  Troy : 

"  Fill'd  with  the  god,  enlarged  his  muscles  grew, 
Through  all  his  veins  a  sudden  vigdr  flew, 
The  blood  in  brisker  tides  began  to  roll, 
And  Mars  himself  came  rushing  on  his  soul. 
Exhorting  loud  through  all  the  field  he  strode, 
And  looked,  and  moved,  Achilles,  or  a  god." 

We  gain  a  more  distinct  conception  of  the  martial 
spirit  of  Warren,  from  the  peculiar  character  of  his 
eloquence  yet  extant.  One  extract  will  suffice. 

On  March  6th,  1775,  he  delivered  an  oration,  com- 


JOSEPH    WARREN.  165 

meliorative  of  "  the  Boston  Massacre."  In  that  fearful 
scene  an  event  occurred  which  it  is  necessary  to  men- 
tion in  order  to  feel  the  force  of  Warren's  skillful  and 
terrific  amplification.  After  Mr.  Gray  had  been  shot 
through  the  body,  and  had  fallen  dead  on  the  ground,  a 
bayonet  was  pushed  through  his  skull ;  part  of  the  bone 
being  broken,  the  brains  fell  out  upon  the  pavement. 
The  orator  alludes  to  this  act  of  needless  barbarity  in  a 
manner  worthy,  of  Mark  Anthony. 

"  The  many  injuries  offered  to  the  town,  I  pass  over 
in  silence.  I  cannot  now  mark  out  the  path  which  led 
to  that  unequalled  scene  of  horror,  the  sad  remembrance 
of  which  takes  the  full  possession  of  my  soul.  The 
sanguinary  theatre  again  opens  itself  to  view.  The 
baleful  images  of  terror  crowd  around  me7  and  discon- 
tented ghosts,  with  hollow  groans,  appear  to  solemnize 
the  anniversary  of  the' fifth  of  March. 

"  Approach  we  then  the  melancholy  walk  of  death. 
Hither  let  me  call  the  gay  companion ;  here  let  him 
drop  a  farewell  tear  upon  tha4  body  which  so  late  he 
saw  vigorous  and  warm  with  social  mirth;  hither  let 
me  lead  the  tender  mother  to  weep  over  her  beloved 
son — corne,  widowed  mourner,  .here  satiate  thy  gi'ief ; 
behold  thy  murdered  husband*  gasping  on  the  ground, 
and  to  complete  the  pompous  show  of  wretchedness, 
bring  in  each  hand  thy  infant  children  to  bewail  their 
father's  fate ; — take  heed,  ye  orphan  babes,  lest,  while 
streaming  eyes  are  fixed  .upon  the  ghastly  corpse,  your 
feet  sh'de  on  the  stones  bespattered  with  your  father's 
brains  !  Enough  ;  this  tragedy  need  not  be  heightened 
by  an  infant  weltering  in  the  blood  of  him  that  gave  it 


166  ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

birth.  Nature  reluctant,  shrinks  already  from  the  view, 
and  the  chilled  blood  rolls  slowly  backward  to  its  foun- 
tain. We  wildly  stare  about,  and  with  amazement  ask, 
who  spread  this  ruin  round  us?  What  wretch  has 
dared  deface  the  image  of  God  ?  Has  haughty  France, 
or  cruel  Spain,  sent  forth  her  myrmidons  ?  Has  the 
grim  savage  rushed  again  from  the  far  distant  wilder- 
ness, or  does  some  fiend,  fierce  from  the  depth  of 
hell,  with  all  the  rancorous  malice  which  the  apostate 
damned  can  feel,  twang  her  destructive  bow,  and  hurl 
her  deadly  arrows  at  our  breast  ?  No,  none  of  these — 
but,  how  astonishing !  it  is  the  hand  of  Britain  that 
inflicts  the  wound!" 

Warren,  viewed  as  he  uttered  the  above  sentiments  in 
"  Old  South,"  was  a  striking  symbol  of  the  revolt  against 
tyranny  which  he  led.  Without  any  other  weapon  than 
his  eloquence,  he  boldly  threw  himself  into  the  midst  of 
hostile  legions,  like  a  brave  old  paladin,  defying  whole 
armies,  alone. 

"  Thou  hast  seen  Mount  Athos; 
While  storms  and  tempests  thunder  on  its  brows, 
And  oceans  beat  their  billows  at  its  feet, 
It  stands  unmoved  and  glories  in  its  height. 
Such  is  that  haughty  man  •  his  towering  soul, 
Midst  all  the  shocks  and  injuries  of  fortune, 
Eises  superior,  and  looks  down  on  Ceesar." 

Indignant  at  the  efforts  made  to  stifle  free  discussion, 
and  to  cheat  the  popular  mind  "of  that  liberty  which 
rarifies  and  enlightens  it  like  the  influence  of  heaven," 
he  proclaimed  the  rights  of  man,  undismayed  by  menace, 
and  cheered  on  his  patriotic  brethren,  while  he  awed 


JQ9CPH    WARREN.  167 

unprincipled  sycophants  into  silence.  His  brave  exam- 
ple and  eloquent  speech  caused  millions  of  hearts  to  beat 
with  a  common  sentiment  of  resistance.  Every  rock 
and  wild  ravine  was  made  a  rampart  to  "  the  sons  of 
HbeYty,"  and  their  banner  was  on  every  summit  un- 
furled, inscribed  in  letters  of  fire,  "Resistance  to  tyrants 
is  obedience  to  God!" 

General  Warren's  speech  resounds  with  the  clash  of 
arms,  and  is  imbued  with  a  high  spirit  of  chivalry  and 
faith.  "  Brief,  brave  and  glorious  was  his  young  ca- 
reer," and  while,  by  the  fearful  emergency  in  which  his 
country  was  plunged,  he  was  compelled  to  tread  "  the 
blood-shod  march  of  glory,"  he  was  an  upright  and  con- 
scientious patriot,  ready  to  receive  "the  deep  scars  of 
thunder,"  and  by  his  example  to  fortify  the  weak. 
Warren  knew  that  "'tis  liberty  lends  life  its  soul  of 
light,"  and  he  was  ready  to  immolate  himself,  if  thus  he 
might  win  the  boon  for  all  mankind. 

Says  Edward  Everett :  "  Amiable,  accomplished,  pru- 
dent, energetic,  eloquent,  brave  ;  he  united  the  graces 
of  a  manly  beauty  to  a  lion  heart,  a  sound  mind,  a  safe 
judgment  and  a  firmness  of  purpose,  which  nothing 
could  shake.  At  the  period  to  which  I  allude,  he  was 
but  just  thirty-two  years  of  age ;  so  young,  and  already 
the  acknowledged  head  of  the  cause !  He  had  never 
seen  a  battle-field,  but  the  veterans  of  Louisburg  and 
Quebec  looked  up  to  him  as  their  leader  ;  and  the  hoary- 
headed  sages  \vho  had  guided  the  public  councils  for  a 
generation,  came  to  him  for  advice.  Such  he  stood, 
the  organ  of  the  public  sentimen't,  on  the  occasion  just 
mentioned.  At  the  close  of  his  impassioned  address, 


J68  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

after  having  depicted  the  labors,  hardships  and  sacrifices 
endured  by  our  ancestors,  in  the  cause  of  liberty,  he 
broke  forth  in  the  thrilling  words,  "the  voice  of  our  fa- 
thers' blood  cries  to  us  from  the  ground  !"  Three  years 
only  passed  away  ;  the  solemn  struggle  came  on ;  fore- 
most in  council,  he  also  w#s  foremost  in  the  battle-field, 
and  offered  himself  a  voluntary  victim,  the  first  great 
martyr  in  the  cause.  Upon  the  heights  of  Charlestown, 
the  last  that  was  struck  down,  he  fell,  with  a  numerous 
band  of  kindred  spirits,  the  gray-haired  veteran,  the 
stripling  in  the  flower  of  youth,  who  had  stood  side  by 
side  trough  that  dreadful  day,  and  fell  together,  like  the 
beauty  of  Israel,  on  their  high  places !" 

Warren  was  eminently  chivalrous  and  brave.  Like 
Louis  XII.  at  Aignadel,  he  would  exclaim  to  the  timid: 
"  Let  those  who  have  fear,  secrete  themselves  behind 
me."  Or  like  the  bold  and  generous  Conde,  he  would 
animate  his  countrymen  in  the  darkest  .hour  with  the 
cheerful  *cry,  "  Follow  my  white  plume,  you  shall  re- 
cognize it  always  on  the  road  to  victory." 

In  speech,  as  in  action,  he  was  sagacious  and  ener- 
getic. His  words  teem  with  the  sulphurous  breath  of 
war,  and  are  lurid  with  patriotic  indignation,  as  if 
coined  at  the  cannon's  mouth.  He  seized  his  victim,  as 
a  vulture  grasps  a  serpent  jrr  his  talons,  and  bearing  him 
aloft  in  triumph,  tore  him  in  fearless  strength  and  scat- 
tered the  fragments  to  the  winds.  'But  this  was  the  rage 
produced  by  foreign  aggression,  and  not  the  blind  fury 
of  mad  ambition.  Herein  was  Warren,  like  Washing- 
ton, greater  and  nobler  than  Napoleon : 


JOSEPH    WARREN.  169 

t 

"  The  mighty  heart  that  battled  for  the  empire  of  the  world, 
And  all  but  won,  yet  perish'd  in  the  strife !" 

Warren  was  a  powerful  orator,  because  he  was  a  true 
man,  and  struggled  for  man's  highest  rights.  Eloquence 
and  liberty  are  the  inseparable  offspring  of  the  same 
mother,  nursed  at  the  same  breast;  two  beams  from  the 
same  sun  ;  two  chords  of  the  same  harp ;  two  arrows 
from  the  same  quiver;  two  thunderbolts  twin-born  in 
heaven,  and  most  glorious  in  their  conflicts  and  con- 
quests on  the  earth. 

"  'Tis  liberty  alone  that'  gives  the  flower 
Of  fleeting  life  its  lustre  and  perfume, 
And  we  are  weeds  without  it.     All  constraint, 
Except  what  wisdom  lays  on  evil  men, 
Is  evil ;  hurts  the  faculties,  impedes 
Their  progress  in. the  road  of  science-  blinds 
The  eyesight  of  Discovery ;  and  begets 
In  those  that  suffer  it  a  sordid  mind, 
Bestial,  a  meagre  intellect,  unfit 
To  be  the  tenant  of  man's  noble  form," 


CHAPTER   VII. 
JOHN   ADAMS, 

ORATOR  OF  BLENDED  ENTHUSIASM  AND  SOBRIETY. 

JOHN  ADAMS  was  born  at  Quincy,  then  part  of  the  old 
town  of  Braintree,  October  19th,  1735.  He  was  of  Pu- 
ritanic descent,  his  ancestors  having  early  emigrated 
from  England,  and  settled  in  Massachusetts.  He  was 
early  noted  for  studious  habits,  and  was  placed  under 
the  classical  tuition  of  Mr.  Marsh,  who  was  also  the 
teacher  of  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.  Having  been  admitted 
to  Harvard  College,  in  1751,  Mr.  Adams  was  graduated 
in  1755.  In  a  class  that  was  distinguished,  he  stood 
among  the  first.  In  1758,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  his  native  town. 
The  skill  with  which  he  conducted  a  criminal  cause,  at 
Plymouth,  first  gave  him  professional  fame.  His  busi- 
ness increased  with  his  reputation  and  ability  until  1760, 
when  he  removed  to  Boston  where  he  could  enjoy  a 
wider  scope  for  his  talents.  In  1770,  he  had  the  bold- 
ness to  undertake  the  defence  of  the  British  officers  and 
soldiers,  on  account  of  the  memorable  massacre  of  the 
5th  of  March.  The  result  reflected  honor  upon  himself 
and  upon  the  jury  who,  in  the  midst  of  great  exaspera* 


JOHN    AD/MS.  171 

tion,  dared  to  be  just  in  maintaining  the  supremacy  of 
law. 

In  1776,  Mr.  Adams  was  appointed  Chief  Justice  of 
Massachusetts,  but  yielding  to  the  ruling  passion  of  his 
ardent  and  patriotic  nature,  he  devoted  himself  almost 
entirely  to  politics.  The  impressions  early  made  on  his 
mind  by  James  Otis  in  the  famous  argument  against 
Writs  of  Assistance,  seem  to  have  given  tone  and  direc- 
tion to  his  whole  subsequent  career.  Before  twenty 
years  of  age  he  predicted  a  vast  increase  of  population 
in  the  Colonies,  anticipated  their  naval  distinction,  and 
foretold  that  all  Europe  combined,  could  not  subdue 
them.  His  thoughts  were  early  and  sagaciously  occu- 
pied on  these  topics.  On  the  12th  of  October,  1755,  he 
wrote  from  Worcester  as  follows : 

"  Soon  after  the  Reformation,  a  few  people  came  over 
into  this  new  world,  for  conscience  sake.  Perhaps  this 
apparently  trivial  incident  may  transfer  the  great  seat  of 
empire  into  America.  It  looks  likely  to  me;  for,  if  we 
can  remove  the  turbulent  Gallics,  our  people,  according 
to  the  exactest  computations,  will,  in  another  century, 
become  more  numerous  than  England  itself.  Should 
this  be  the  case,  since  we  have,  I  may  say,  all  the  naval 
stores  of  the  nation  in  our  hands,  it  will  be  easy  to  ob- 
tain a  mastery  of  the  seas  ;  and  then  the  united  force  of 

• 

all  Europe  will  not  be  able  to  subdue  us.  The  only  way 
to  keep  us  from  setting  up  for  ourselves  is  to  disunite  us. 
"  Be  not  surprised  that  I  am  turned  politician.  This 
tvhole  town  is  immersed  in  politics.  The  interests  of 
nations,  and  all  the  dira  of  war,  make  the  subject  of 
every  conversation.  I  sit  and  hear,  and  after  having. 


172  ORATORS    OF    THE'  AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

been  led  through  a  maze  of  sage  observations,  I  some- 
times retire,  and  laying  things  together,  form  some  re- 
flections pleasing, to  myself.  The  produce  of  one  of 
these  reveries  you  have  read  above." 

It  has  been  said  that  "  the  true  test  of  a  great  man — 
that  at  least  which  must  secure  his  place  among  the 
higher  order  of  great,  men — is  his  having  been  in  ad- 
vance of  his  age.  This  it  is  which  decides  whether  or 
not  he  has  carried  forward  the  great  plan  of  human  im- 
provement ;  has  conformed  his  views  and  adapted  his 
conduct  to1  the  existing  circumstances  of  society,  or 
changed  those  so  as  to  better  its  condition;  has  been 
one  of  the  lights  of  the  world,  or  only  reflected  the  bor- 
rowed rays  of  former  luminaries,  and  sat  in  the  same 
shade  with  the  rest  of  his  generation  at  the  same  twilight 
or  the  same  dawn." 

Tried  by  this  test,  it  must  be  acknowledged  that  the 
author  of  the  above  letter  was  among  the  wisest  and 
most  provident  seers  of  his  day. 

In  1765,  Mr.  Adams  appeared  before  the  public  as  an 
author,  in  a  work  on  the  Canon  and  Feudal  Law. 

"  The  object  of  this  work  was  to  show  that  our  New 
England  ancestors,  in  consenting  to  exile  themselves 
from  their  native  land,  were  actuated,  mainly,  by  the 
desire  of  delivering  themselves  from  the  power  of  the* 
hierarchy,  and  from  the  monarchical  and  aristocratical 
political  systems  of  the  other  continent;  and  to  make 
this  truth  bear-,  with  effect,  on  the  politics  of  the  times. 
Its  tone  is  uncommonly  bold  and  animated,  for  that 
period.  He  calls  on  the  people,  not  only  to  defend,  but 
to  study  and  understand  their  rights  and  privileges ; 


w.  %• 

JOHN    ADAMS.  173 


urges  earnestly  the  necessity  of  diffusing  "^neral  know- 
ledge, invokes  the  clergy  and   the  bar,  the  colleges  and 
academies,  and  all  others  who  have  the  ability  and  the 
means,  to  expose  the  insidious  designs  of  arbitrary  power, 
to  resist  its  approaches,  and  to  be  persuaded  that  there 
is  a  settled  design  on  foot  to  enslave  all  America.     'Be 
it  remembered,'  says  the  author,  'that  liberty  must,  at 
all  hazards,  be  supported.     We  have  a  right  to  it,  de- 
rived  from  our  Maker.     But  if  we  had  not,  our  fathers 
have  earned  it,  and  bought  it  for  us,  at  the  expense  of 
their  ease,  their  estate,  their  pleasure  and  their  blood. 
And   liberty  cannot   be   preserved   without  a   general 
knowledge  among  the  people,  who  have  a  right,  from  the 
frame  of  their  nature,  to  knowledge,  as  their  great  Crea- 
tor who  does  nothing  in  vain,  has  given  them  under- 
standings, and  a  desire  to  know ;  but  besides  this,  they 
have  a  right,  an  indisputable,  unalienable,  indefeasible 
right  to  that  most  dreaded  and  envied  kind  of  knowledge, 
I   mean  of  the   character  and  conduct  of  their  rulers. 
Rulers  are  no  more  than  attorneys,  agents,  and  trustees 
of  the  people;  and  if  the  cause,  the  interest  and  trust,  is 
insidiously  betrayed,  or  wantonly  trifled  away,  the  peo- 
ple have  a  right  to  revoke  the  authority,  that  they  them- 
selves have  deputed,  and  to  constitute  other  and  better 
agents,  attorneys  and  trustees.' " 

In  1770,  Mr.  Adams  was  elected  to  the  legislature  by 
the  citizens  of  Boston.  He  took  a  deep  interest  in  the 
conflict  with  England,  for  which  zeal  he  was  especially 
contemned  by  Governors  Hutchinson  and  Gage. 

By  this  time,  impending  dangers  had  so  multiplied 
that  the  united  counsel  of  all  patriots  was  demanded. 


174          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

. 

A  general  Congress  of  delegates,  to  consider  the  affairs 
of  the  Colonies,  having  been  decided  upon,  the  legisla- 
ture, on  the  17th  of  June,  1774,  elected  James  Bowdoin, 
Thomas  Gushing,  Samuel  Adams,  John  Adams,  and 
Robert  Treat  Paine,  delegates  from  Massachusetts. 
The  four  last-named  persons  accepted  their  appoint- 
ments, and  took  their  seats  in  Congress,  the  first  day  of 
its  session,  September  5th,  1774,  in  Philadelphia.  In 
this  office  Mr.  Adams  remained,  till  November,  1777, 
when  he  was  appointed  Minister  to  France.  The  year 
following,  he  was  appointed  Commissioner  to  treat  of 
peace  with  England.  Returning  to  the  United  States, 
he  was  a  delegate  from  Braintree  in  the  convention 
which  framed  the  constitution  of  Massachusetts,  in  1780. 
During  the  eight  succeeding  years,  "he  was  employed  in 
the  diplomatic  service  of  the  country,  and  resided  at  the 
various  courts  of  Europe.  In  1782  he  concluded  our 
first  treaty  with  Holland.  At  a  later  period,  he  had"  the 
satisfaction  of  seeing  the  Minister  Plenipotentiary  of  the 
Crown  of  England  subscribe  to  the  instrument  which 
declared  that  his.  "  Britannic  Majesty  acknowledged  the 
United  States  to  be  free,  sovereign,  and  independent." 
Returning  to  his  beloved  country  in  1788,  he  was 
elected  the  first  Vice  President,  a  position  which  he 
occupied  eight  years,  when  he  was  raised  to  the  Presi- 
dential chair,  as  immediate  successor  to  the  immortal 
Washington. 

Leaving  the  illustrious  subject  of  this  sketch  for  a 
while  in  the  most  exalted  political  station  man  can  ever 
hope  to  attain,  let  us  attempt  to  analyze  his  character 
and  describe  his  person. 


JOHN    ADAMS.  175 

Mr.  Adams'  individuality  as  a  man  and  citizen,  was 
strono-lv  marked.  We  take  him  to  have  been  the  best 

O    * 

specimen  our  early  history  affords  of  sobriety  and  en- 
thusiasm happily  combined  and  wisely  employed  in 
promoting  the  public  good.  As  a  patriot  he  was  firm, 
sagacious  and  persevering. 

His  firmness  was  indicated  by  the  position  he  as- 
sumed as  early  as  1774,  when,  in  company  with  three 
others  named  above,  he  was  chosen  by  the  Colony  of 
Massachusetts,  to  represent  them  in  the  first  Continental 
Congress.  His  friend,  Sevvall,  who  had  taken  the  min- 
isterial side  in  politics,  and  was  at  that  time  attorney-gen- 
eral of  the  province,  hearing  of  his  election,  endeavored 
earnestly  to  dissuade  him  from  his  purpose  of  assuming 
the  seat  to  which  he  had  been  appointed.  He  told  him 
of  the  resolution  of  Great  Britain  to  pursue  her  system 
with  the  greatest  rigor ;  that  her  power  was  irresistible, 
and  would  involve  him  in  destruction,  as  well  as  all  his 
associates.  ,  His  response  unfolds  at  once  the  dignity  of 
his  resolutions  on  contemplating  this  great  and  daring 
national  movement. 

"I  know  that  Great  Britain  has  determined  on  her 
system,  and  that  very  determination  determines  me  on 
mine.  You  know  that  I  have  been  .constant  and  uni- 
form in  opposition  to  her  designs.  Sink  or  swim,  live 
or  die,  survive  or  perish,  with  my  country,  is  my  fixed, 
unalterable  determination." 

That  this  firmness  was  based  on  patriotic  principle 
and  inspired  by  it,  is  further  indicated  by  what  he  said 
in  a  letter  to  his  wife  under  circumstarices  of  great  pub- 
lic distress.  He  had  heard  of  the  attack  made  by  the 


176  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

British  on  Boston,  of  the  dismay  and  ruin  consequent 
thereon,  but  being  not  in  the  least  daunted  in  his  pur- 
pose, he  wrote  as  follows  : 

•''  PHILADELPHIA,  20th  September,  1774. 

"  I  am  anxious  to  know  how  you  can  live  without 
government.  But  the  experiment  must  be  tried.  The 
evils  will  not  be  found  so  dreadful  as  you  apprehend 
them.  Frugality,  my  dear,  frugality,  economy,  par- 
simony, must  be  our  refuge.  I  hope  the  ladies  are 
every  day  diminishing  their  ornaments,  and  the  gentle- 
men, too.  Let  us  eat  potatoes  and  drink  water.  Let 
us  wear  canvas  and  undressed  sheepskins,  rather  than 
submit  to  the  unrighteous  and  ignominious  domination 
that  is  prepared  for  us." 

But  Mr.  Adams  was  a  sagacious  prophet  in  political 
matters,  as  well  as  a  firm  patriot.  The  celebrated  let- 
ters of  the  3d  of  July,  1776,  abundantly  prove  this.  A 
great  living  statesman  has  treated  these  letters  in  such 
a  splendid  manner  in-his  eulogium  on  their  author,  that 
to  quote  them  in  their  original  shape,  may  indeed  seem  to 
destroy  much  of  their  effect.  But  we  wish  to  contem- 
plate the  character  of  Mr.  Adams  through  a  medium  of 
his  own  making ;  and  shall  here  introduce  the  prophecy 
as  he  recorded  it,  in  order  to  substantiate  the  position 
we  have  assumed. 

"  Yesterday,  the  greatest  question  was  decided,  which 
ever  was  debated  in  America,  and  a  greater,  perhaps, 
never  was  nor  will  be  decided  among  men.  A  resolu- 
tion was  passed  without  one  dissenting  Colony,  "  that 
these  United  Colonies  are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free 


JOHN    ADAMS.  177 

and  independent  States,  and  as  such  they  have  and  of 
right  out  to  have,  full  power  to  make  war,  conclude 
peace,  establish  commerce  and  to  do  all  other  acts  and 
things  which  other  States  may  rightfully  do."  You  will 
see,  in  a  few  days,  a  Declaration,  setting  forth  the  causes 
which  have  impelled  us  to  this  mighty  Revolution,  and 

the  reasons  which  will  justify  it  in  the  sight  of  God  and 
man. 

"When  I  look  back  to  the  year  1761,  and  recollect 
the  arguments  concerning  Writs  of  Assistance  m  the 
Superior  Court,  which  I  have  hitherto  considered  as  the 
commencement  of  this  controversy  between  Great 
Britain  and  America,  and  run  through  the  whole  period, 
from  that  time  to  this,  and  recollect  the  series  of  politi- 
cal events,  the  chain  of  causes  and  effects,  I  am  sur- 
prised at  the  suddenness  as  well  as  gi'eatness  of  this 
Revolution.  Britain  has  been  filled  with  folly,  and'Ame- 
rica  with  wisdom  ;  at  least,  this  is  my  judgment.  Time 
must  determine.  It  is  the  will  of  heaven  that  the  two 
countries  should  be  sundered  for  ever.  It  may  be  the 
will  of  heaven  that  America  shall  suffer  calamities  still 
more  wasting,  and  distresses  yet  more  dreadful.  If  this 
is  to  be  the  case,  it  will  have  this  good  effect  at  least.  It 
will  inspire  us  with  many  virtues,  which  we  have  not, 
and  correct  many  errors,  follies  and  vices  which  threaten 
to  disturb,  dishonor  and  destroy  us.  The  furnace  of 
affliction  produces  refinement  in  States  as  well  as  indi- 
viduals." 

Then,  speaking  of  the  day  on  which  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  passed,  he  foretold  that  it  would  "  be 
the  most  memorable  epocha  in  the  history  of 'America. 
8* 


178          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

I  am  apt  to  believe  that  it  will  be  celebrated  by  succeed- 
ing generations  as  the  great  anniversary  festival.  It 
ought  to  be  commemorated,  as  the  day  of  deliverance, 
by  solemn  acts  of  devotion  to  God  Almighty.  It  ought 
to  be  solemnized  with  pomp  and  parade,  with  shows, 
games,  sports,  guns,  bells,  bonfires  and  illuminations, 
from  one  end  of  this  continent  to  the  other,  from  this 
time  forward,  forevermore. 

"You  will  think  me  transported  with  enthusiasm,  but 

* 

I  am  not.  I  am  well  aware  of  the  toil  and  blood,  and 
treasure,  that  it  will  cost  to  maintain  this  Declaration, 
and  support  and  defend  these  States.  Yet,  through  all 
the  gloom,  I  can  see  the  rays  of  ravishing  light  and 
glory.  I  can  see  that  the  end  is  more  than  worth  all 
the  means ;  and  that  posterity  will  triumph  in  that  day's 
transaction,  even  although  we  should  rue  it,  which  I 
trust  in  God  we  shall  not." 

We  have  said  that  Mr.  Adams  was  firm,  and  that  he 
was  sagacious ;  we  remark,  thirdly,  that  he  was  ardent 
and  energetic.  His  feelings  were  quick,  and  fully  en- 
listed in  the  defence  of  his  country  ;  anything  that  re- 
flected on  her  welfare  \vas  sure  to  arouse  his  indigna- 
tion. Writing  to  his  wife,  he  presents  several  instances 
in  which  his  enthusiastic  patriotism  involved  him  in  tem- 
porary confusion,  such  as  on  the  following  occasion, 
described  in  a  letter,  dated, 

"  FALMOUTH,  9th  July,  1774. 

"  At  another  time,  Judge  Trowbridge  said,  '  It  seems 
by  Col.  Barre's  speeches,  that  Mr.  Otis  has  acquired 
honor  by  releasing  his  damages  to  Robinson.'  '  Yes,' 
says  I,  '  he  has  acquired  honor  with  all  generations.' 


JOHN'    ADAMS.  179 

Trowbridge — '  He  did  not  make  much  profit,  I  think.' 
Adams — '  True,  but  the  less  profit,  the  more  honor.  He 
was  a  man  of  honor  and  generosity,  and  those  who  think 
he  was  mistaken,  will  pity  him.' 

"  Thus  you  see  how  foolish  I  am.  I  cannot  avoid 
exposing  myself  before  these  high  folks;  my  feelings 
will  at  times  overcome  my  modesty  and  reserve,  my 
prudence,  policy  and  discretion.  I  have  a  zeal  at  my 
heart  for  my  country  and  her  friends,  which  I  cannot 
smother  or  'conceal ;  it  will  burn  out  at  times  and  in 
companies,  where  it  ought  to  be  latent  in  my  breast. 
This  zeal  will  prove  fatal  to  the  fortune  and  felicity  of 
my  family,  if  it  is  not  regulated  by  a  cooler  judgment 
than  mine  has  hitherto  been.  Colonel  Otis'  phrase  is, 
'  The  zeal-pot  boils  over.' " 

In  all  his  public  career,  in  perils  the  most  imminent, 
and  before  foes  the  most  mighty,  Mr.  Adams  seems  to 
have  resolved  on  maintaining  his  position  at  any  risk, 
and,  with  this  intent,  to  have  ever  sternly  declared, 

"  Let  them  pull  all  about  mine  ears ;  present  me 
Death  on  the  wheel,  or  at  wild  horses'  heels; 
Or  pile  ten  hills  on  the  Tarpean  rock, 
That  the  precipitation  might  down  stretch 
Below  the  beam  of  sight,  yet  will  I  still 
Be  thus  to  them." 

The  coalition  in  Mr.  Adams,  of  the  three  great  attri- 
butes named  above, — firmness,  sagacity  and  fervor, — 
rendered  him  powerful  in  action  and  speech.  Sound 
and  substantial  intellect  must  ever  constitute  the  basis 
of  true  eloquence.  It  is  this  only  that  can  sway  the 
intellectual  faculties  of  mankind,  and  take  captive  the 


180  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

judgment.  In  its  deepest  pathos  and  most  impassioned 
appeals,  this  element  must  still  predominate,  or  convic- 
tion that  is  enduring  cannot  be  produced.  Emotion  is 
essential  to  deepen  impressions  and  incite  to  action ; 
but  in  the  most  tumultuous  agitations  of  both  head  and 
heart,  the  sovereignty  of  reason  must  be  maintained,  or 
the  momentum  derived  from  passion  will  only  accelerate 
its  victim  to  speedier  disgrace  and  ruin.  The  great  de- 
sideratum is,  not  to  rely  on  intellect  only,  nor  on  feeling 
only,  but  appropriately  to  blend  the  two ;  and  thus  by  a 
natural  and  almost  omnipotent  process  to  grasp  and 
control  with  spontaneous  domination  the  feelings  and 
understandings  of  men.  The  language  of  superior  elo- 
quence is  nothing  else  than  the  enunciation  of  mind  the 
most  indomitable,  earnest,  and  free ;  and  the  highest 
power  that  the  human  spirit  can  possibly  know  may  be 
thus  expressed,  since  thought  the  most  vast  and  compre- 
hensive, as  well  as  affection  the  most  intense  and  inex- 
tinguishable, have  their  adequate  expression  in  the  ver- 
nacular of  man,  and,  when  honestly  expressed,  are 
instantly  recognized  and  responded  to  by  all  mankind. 

But  this  happy  union  of  enthusiasm  and  sobriety 
is  exceedingly  rare,  even  in  the  first  rank  of  orators. 
Sir  James  Mackintosh  said  that  Fox  was  a  speaker, 
"  the  most  Demosthenian  since  Demosthenes,"  because 
he  was  supposed  to  combine  in  his  mental  structure  much 
of  that  reason,  simplicity  and  vehemence,  which  formed 
the  prince  of  ancient  speakers.  Others  have  insisted 
that  the  younger  Pitt  was  endowed  with  a  certain  severe 
and  majestic  earnestness,  a  calm  and  self-balanced 
energy,  which  rendered  him  even  more  like  the  mighty 


f  * 


JOHN    ADAMS.  181 

Grecian  than  was  the  great  parliamentary  rival  before 
named.  Both  these  renowned  Englishmen  were  cer- 
tainly well  qualified  to  debate  great  questions  and  sway 
the  destinies  of  empires,  but  they  were  not  orators  of 
the  most  imperial  power.  Pitt  especially  failed  in  the 
poetic  part  of  popular  discourse,  and  Fox  did  not  habit- 
ually manifest  those  splendors  of  imagination  which 
constitute  the  most  ethereal  component  of  pure  elo- 
quence. One  may  be  fertile  in  argument,  and  prolific 
in  illustration,  —  memory  may  contribute  innumerable 
facts,  and  invention  may  cunningly  display  vast  re- 
sources of  learned  lore,  —  and  yet,  unless  the  speaker 
breathes  a  higher  inspiration,  the  "third  heaven"  is 
never  reached  by  his  fancy,  nor  are  intelligent  crowds 
entranced  by  his  tones.  Such  auxiliaries  are  like  the 
wings  of  an  ostrich,  a  profusion  of  showy  but  nerveless 
feathers  which  assist  in  running  along  the  earth,  but 
which  are  utterly  unable  to  bear  their  cumbrous  pos- 
sessor in  sublime  flight  to  the  skies.  Where  enthusiasm 
does  not  melt  into  reason  and  adorn  its  strength,  a  pro- 
saic tameness  is  sure  to  characterize  the  printed  page  or 
spoken  debate. 

John  Adams  was  sometimes  impetuous  but  rarely  dull. 
When  matters  of  great  moment  were  at  stake,  he  rose 
with  a  natural  grandeur  to  a  level  with  the  emergency, 
and  became  master  of  the  most  violent  storm.  It  was 
then  that  the  mens  divinior,  the  unquenchable  flame  of 
eloquence,  seemed  to  expand  his  person  and  invest  him 
with  almost  superhuman  force.  In  such  spontaneous 
bursts,  as  Jefferson  declared,  he  raised  his  hearers  from 
their  seats.  Swelling  sympathy,  irrepressible  admira- 


182  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

tion  and  patriotic  determinations,  the  most  resolute  and 
profound,  filled  every  bosom  and  made  sworn  brothers 
of  all.  His  speech  was  indomitable,  because  it  was  the 
inspiration  at  once  of  head  and  heart,  the  organs  of  a 
great  soul  fired  with  comprehensive  and  disinterested 
designs.  He  was  luminous  on  the  surface,  because 
there  was  a  perpetual  and  pure  splendor  within  ;  he  was 
capable  of  a  high  polish,  and  endured  without  injury  the 
severest  shocks,  because  the  substance  of  his  eloquent 
nature  was  adamant  of  the  finest  and  firmest  grain. 

"  He  on  whose  name  each  distant  age  shall  gaze, 
The  mighty  sea-mark  of  those  troubled  days ! 
He,  grand  of  soul,  of  genius  unconfmed, 
Born  to  delight,  instruct,  and  mend  mankind  ; 
Adams  !  in  whom  a  Roman  ardor  glow'd, 
Whose  copious  tongue  with  Grecian  richness  flow'd." 

was  the  impersonation  of  fervid  eloquence  standing  on 
the  pedestal  of  solid  judgment. 

As  was  said  above,  it  is  seldom  that  we  meet  with 
great  depth  and  acuteness  in  the  same  person ;  but  in 
every  such  coalition,  the  result  is  genius.  It  is  ever 
observant  and  meditative;  even  while  it  seems  to  be 
in  repose,  it  is  in  fact  advancing  by  some  secret  path  to 
great  results.  This  is  a  power  which  cannot  be  alto- 
gether restrained.  It  is  a  vehement  force,  as  irresistible 
to  the  mind  of  its  possessor  as  it  is  potent  on  others  ;  it 
stimulates  all  contiguous  faculties  and  insures  success 
by  the  enthusiasm  which  always  accompanies  strong 
passions. 

Genius  is  the  constructive  faculty  of  the  mind,  it  is 
to  accumulated  erudition,  and  men  of  talents,  merely, 


JOHN    ADAMS.  183 

what  a  skillful  architect  is  to  a  mass  of  building  mate- 
rials lying  inert  before  a  body  of  plodding  mechanics. 

Oratorical  genius  has  two  organs  of  vision,  observa- 
tion and  imagination.  This  double  look,  always  fixed 
on  nature  and  humanity,  is  the  inlet  of  that  inspiration 
peculiar  to  the  gifted,  and  which  adorns  every  thing 
excellent  in  the  department  of  eloquence  and  art.  It 
neither  distorts  nor  falsifies  the  natural  tone  and  quali- 
ties of  the  -materials  it  employs,  but  simply  does  the 
work  of  a  wise  lapidary  who  brings  out  many  a  hidden 
vein  and  beauteous  tint,  thus  raising  to  the  rank  and 
value  of  gems  what  had  often  been  discarded  by  the 
unobservant  traveller  in  the  dusty  highway  of  life. 

Every  masterly  production  o*f  the  mind  is  an  aggre- 
gate of  the  sobriety  and  enthusiasm  we  have  described ; 
it  is  the  result  of  two  intellectual  phenomena,  meditation 
and  enthusiasm.  Meditation  is  a  faculty  mainly  ac- 
quired ;  inspiration  is  a  special  and  invaluable  gift. 
All  men,  to  a  certain  degree,  can  meditate ;  but  very 
few  are  inspired.  Meditation  alone  never  wrote  an  Iliad, 
nor  drove  back  Xerxes ;  it  never  could  break  the 
slumber  of  centuries,  nor  reform  the  world.  In  medita- 
tion, the  spirit  of  man  acts  ;  in  inspiration,  it  obeys  ;  in 
the  first  instance,  the  influence  that  impels  is  native 
to  man ;  in  the  other,  it  originates  in  a  higher  region, 
and  imparts  to  meditation  its  greatest  force.  It  is  the 
amalgamation  of  these  two  faculties,  meditation  and 
inspiration  intimately  allied,  that  constitutes  the  true 
orator.  He  wins  inspiration  through  meditation,  as  the 
ancient  prophets  arose  to  extacy  on  the  wings  of  prayer. 
In  order  that  divine  scenes  may  stand  revealed  to  his 


184  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

gaze,  it  is  necessary  that  he  should  in  a  inanner  disrobe 
himself  of  material  existence,  and  in  calm  silence  gather 
up  the  loins  of  his  mind.  Thus  isolated  from  the  exterior 
life,  he  ^ajoys  a  plenteous  development  of  the  life  inter- 
nal ;  in  the  same  proportion  as  the  material  world  is 
withdrawn,  the  world  of  ideal  beauty  stands  revealed. 
Holy  and  eloquent  thought  cannot  spread  its  pinions 
and  sublimely  soar  until  it  has  laid  off  the  gross  burdens 
of  earth.  No  healthful  inspiration  comes  to  the  soul 
except  as  preceded  by  devout  meditation.  Among  the 
ancient  Jews,  a  people  whose  history  is  full  of  instructive 
symbols,  when  the  priest  had  built  an  altar  he  kindled 
thereon  terrestrial  flames,  and  it  was  then  only  that 
divine  rays  descended  from  heaven. 

They  who  most  relish  the  ideal,  and  have  the  greatest 
facility  in  creating  it,  ever  most  enjoy  the  real.  The 
refined  artist,  for  instance,  when  abroad  in  the  rough 
thoroughfares  of  life,  will  closely  observe  every  changing 
aspect  around  him,  and  from  the  social  confusion  will 
elicit  many  a  grace.  In  the  street,  on  the  strand,  in 
the  hovel,  and  under  gilded  domes,  he  culls  with  uniform 
skill  and  with  equal  success,  everywhere  gathering 
hints  for  his  pencil  and  choice  honey  for  the  hive  of  his 
thoughts.  In  the  rank  mire  of  worldly  strife,  Dante 
and  Milton  selected  pearls  for  -the  wreath  of  song ;  and 
Raphael  found  among  dancing  rustics  and  romping 
children  the  germs  of  many  of  his  most  magnificent 
creations.  Look  at  Shakspeare's  wonderful  impersona- 
tions, and  see  how  the  actual  and  the  ideal  are  closely 
conjoined.  If  at  one  moment  he  whirls  you  on  high, 
and  makes  you  dizzy  and  lonely  in  your  sublime  eleva- 


JOSEPH    WARREN.  185 

tion,  the  next  moment  he  opens  a  vista  to  earth  again, 
and  entrances  the  heart  with  feelings  of. home.  A  true 
man,  one  born  to  command  the  confidence  and  admira- 
tion of  others  through  the  medium  of  eloquent  senti- 
ments, is  perpetually  refreshed  and  invigorated  oy  the 
inexhaustible  resources  which  he  seeks  and  enjoys  in 
the  play-grounds  of  the  world.  He  is  exhilarated  by 
the  streams  that  intersect  the  popular  heart,  just  as  by 
the  mysterious  attraction  of  nature  the  highest  moun- 
tains draw  up,  through  a  thousand  hidden  tubes,  the 
waters  that  thunder  in  the  cataract  and  sparkle  in 
beauty  along  the  flowery  plains. 

This  blending  of  enthusiasm  with  sobriety  is  the  most 
prominent  trait  in  the  highest  order  of  minds.  Eccen- 
tricity is  by  no  means  a  necessary  concomitant  of 
genius.  Bacon,  Milton,  Newton,  Locke,  Bowditch, 
were  the  greatest  geniuses  and  most  sober  men  of  their 
day.  Genius  is  never  more  potent  and  useful  than 
when  chastened  and  restrained  by  reason,  like  the 
impetuous  courser,  Bucephalus,  curbed  and  directed  by 
the  hand  of  Alexander.  Men  of  the  highest  stamp 
unite  in  themselves  the  conformations  of  many  subordi- 
nate grades ;  they  who  stand  at  the  summit  of  the 
social  pyramid  are  the  exponents  of  the  unbounded 
sentiments  and  passions  which  slumber  in  the  masses 
beneath.  Such  was  the  natural  position  and  rare 
endowments  of  John  Adams.  He  was  one  of  those 
energetic  and  audacious  spirits  who  seem  to  be  born 
expressly  to  revolutionize  the  world.  They  appear  on 
the  public  stage  robed  and  crowned  with 


186  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

"  Truths  serene, 

Made  visible  in  beauty,  that  shall  glow 
In  everlasting  freshness,  unapproached 
By  mortal  passion  ;   pure  amidst  the  blood 
*  And  dust  of  conquests  ; — never  waxing  old, 
But  on  the  stream  of  time,  from  age  to  age, 
Casting  bright  images  of  heavenly  youth." 

We  ought  to  expect  that  eloquence  the  most  exalted 
would  spontaneously  emanate  from  such  a  souli  The 
orator,  grand  by  nature,  like  the  eagle,  hovers-  above  the 
clouds  in  the  pure  region  of  principles ;  while  the  mere 
haranguer.  the  demagogue,  ruled  by  time-serving  expe- 
diency, like  the  swallow,  skims  earth  and  sea,  garden 
and  swamp,  making  a  thousand  erratic  turns,  catching 
a  few  grovelling  insects,  and  annoying  the  -thoughtful 
traveller  with  its  clattering  wings.  John  Adams  was 
the  eagle  of  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  eloquence  in 
America,  quick  of  eye  and  strong  of  wing,  habitually 
calm  in  his  grandeur,  sometimes  passionate  and  rapid  in 
his  course  beyond  all  example. 

He  was  an  admirable  model  of  blended  enthusiasm 
and  sobriety ;  this  constituted  his  individuality  as  a 
popular  orator,  and  his  consummate  excellence  as  a 
statesman. 

The  marriage  of  the  powerful  Jupiter  with  the  lovely 
Latona  produced  the  graceful  symmetry  of  Apollo — the 
happy  combination  of  beauty,  precision,  agility,  and 
strength — and  these  were  the  elements  that  composed 
the  mental  character  of  our  great  countryman.  He 
resembled  two  of  England's  greatest  forensic  gladiators. 
Fox  was  a  logician,  Lord  Chatham  an  orator.  John 


» 

-'  ;      *•• 

*,  *• 

JOHN    ADAMS.  187 

Adams  combined  in  his  eloquence  much  of  the  severe 
reason  of  the  one,  and  the  power  of  fascination  so  exit- 
berant  in  the  other.  Arguments  set  forth  by  Fox  were 
adapted  to  convince  the  reflecting;  a  speech  from 
Chatham  would  impel  all  hearers  immediately  to  action. 
John  Adams  was  happily  endowed  to  accomplish  both 
results  at  the  same  time ;  his  reasons  for  acting  were  as 
luminous  as  his  appeals  were  exciting.  Like  the  courser 
described  by  the  classic  poet : 

"  His  high  mettle,  under  good  control, 
Gave  him  Olympic  speed,  and  shot  him  to  the  goal." 

To  think  deeply  and  feel  strongly,  at  one  and 
the  same  time — to  blend  thought  and  emotion  in 
luminous  expression,  and  to  concentrate  both  simulta- 
neously on  the  audience  in  one  blaze  of  argument  and 
illustration — this  is  the  means  and  guaranty  of  success, 
this  is  eloquence. 

Herein  coasted  John  Adams'  great  excellence.  His 
head  was  cool,  but  his  heart  was  ardent — a  volcano 
beneath  summits  of  snow — he  projected  his  argument 
frigidly,  in  premeditated  compactness,  as  if  the  fountain 
of  emotion  was  entirely  congealed  in  him;  But  when  he 
arose  in  the  eye  of  the  nation,  and  began  to  feel  the 
importance  of  his  theme,  he  became  lucid  with  the  fires 
of  patriotism, '  like  the  frenzied  Pythoness,  and  seized 
possession  of  the  general  mind,  with  the  authority  of  a 
master  and  a  king.  He  clothed  the  bony  substance  of 
his  dialectics  with  the  flesh  and  blood  of  his  ardent  and 
spontaneous  rhetoric  ;  he  kindled  the  Continental  Con- 
gress into  a  flame,  because  he  was  himself  inflamed.- 


*  .vtr    ••«*'      *» 

188  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

He  precipitated  himself  upon  his  hearers,  without  wan- 
dering in  extravagance,  and  commanded  their  feelings 
with- his  pathos,  without  ceasing  to  rule  their  judgments 
by  the  justness  of  his  thought.  Sometimes,  indeed,  he 
seemed  to  stagger  under  the  weight  and  pungency  of 
conceptions  which  language  could  not  express : 

"Low'ring  he  stood,  stiJl  in  fierce  act  of  speech, 
Yet  speechless."  *, 

His  great  talent  lay  in  this :  he  intuitively  saw  to 
what  point  in  the  minds  of  his  audience  to  apply  his 
strength,  and  he  sent  it  home  there  with  the  force  of  a 
giant. 

Mr.  Jefferson  has  himself  affirmed,  "  that  the  great 
pillar  of  support  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
and  its  ablest  advocate  and  champion  on  the  floor  of 
the  House,  was  John  Adams.  He  was  the  colossus  of 
that  Congress ;  not  always  fluent  in  his  public  addresses, 
he  yet  came  out  with  a  power,  both  oj^thought  and 
expression,  which  moved  his  hearers  from  their  seats." ' 

Let  us  look  back  a  moment  and  consider  how  the 
great  orators  of  the  Revolution  were  disciplined,  and 
perfected  for  the-sublime  mission  they  performed.  They 
were  highly  educated  and  classically  refined  ;  but  their 
best  weapons  were  forged  in  the  presence  of  tyrants  and 
desperate  toils.  Eloquence,  to  be  affecting  and  grand, 
must  have  perils  to  brave,  the  unfortunate  to  defend, 
and  daring  honors  to  win.  Great  trials  and  fearful  con- 
flicts make  great  orators.  The  grammarians  and  the 
musicians,  the  men  who  cured  stammering,  and  taught 

o7  o 

their  pupil  to  pronounce  the  letter  R  distinctly,  aided  the 


*. 

JOHN    ADAMS. 


•     •«» 

m 


great  Athenian  much  undoubtedly,  but  they  created  no 
nerve  of  his  eloquence.  Neither  did  his  shaved  head, 
his  cave,  his  mouthful  of  peBbles,  and  his  declamation 
by  the  sounding  sea,  inspire  the  imperial  orator  who  ful- 
minecf  over  the  world  like  a  tropical  storm.  The  mighty 
tesnpest  of  military  force  and  political  domination  low- 
ering on  the  hills  of  Maced'on,  and  crashing  on  the 
plains  of  Choeronea — the  fiery  furnace  of  mental  con- 
flict, where  the  aspiring  spirit  is  its  own  best  instructor 
— the  dread  arena  of  physical  battle  with  adverse 
legions,  and  lofty  mental  strife  with  malignant  foes 
leagued  to  impel  a  falling  state  to  ruin, — this  was  the 
school  where  Demosthenes  was  trained,  and  these  were 
the  means  by  which  his  eloquence  was  won. 

And  so  of  Cicero.  Archias  with  his  elegant  learning, 
and  Philo  with  his  elaborate  rhetoric, — the  groves  of 
Athens  with  all  their  philosophy,  and  the  school  of  the 
Rhodian  Milo,  with  all  its  gymnastic  development, — 
formed  not  th^pnaster  orator,  potent  alike  in  the  fasti- 
dious Senate,  or  amid  the  tumultuous  masses  of  that 
gorgeous  pandemonium  of  imperial  Rome, — the  Forum. 
But  to  be  the  sport  of  rival  chiefs  and  remorseless  fac- 
tions, hailed  with  a  torrent  of  acclamations  at  one  mo- 
ment, and  at  the  next  drowned  in  the  execrations  of 
armed  throngs, — to  fight  his  way  from  the  obscurity  of 
an  humble  plebeian  to  the  highest  pinnacle  of  fame,  and 
thence  to  be  rudely  dragged  down  to  banishment,  pov- 
erty, and  popular  odium  by  the  traitorous  Catiline  and 
the  accursed  Clod ius, — this  was  the  source  that  inspired 
the  Philippics,  this  was  the  school  of  Cicero's  eloquence. 

This  first  indication  of  mental  freedom  at  the  begin- 


<• 

190          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

ning  of  the  French  Revolution,  and  the  most  remark- 
able department  of  intellectual  improvement,  was  elo- 
quence. The  sudden  expansion  of  senatorial  oratory, 
at  that  period,  was  a  sure  prognostic  of  rising  liberty. 
If  a  Barnave  and  his  associates  were  virulent  in  their 
attacks,  and  excited  the  populace  to  frenzy  by  their 
stormy  declamations,  it  was  because  the  wrongs  they 
suffered  were  exasperating,  and  nothing  but  a  tornado 
could  clear  their  path.  Mirabeau  was  roused  by  seven- 
teen lettres  de  cachet,  directed  against  his  own  person  ; 
and  under  such  motives  to  action  he  defended  popular 
rights  with  an  energy  that  crushed  a  throne. 

The  discipline  and  destiny  of  an  oratorical  soul  is 
much  like  that  emblem  of  freedom,  the  eagle.  Dwelling 
in  the  solitude  of  mountains,  it  seeks  the  highest  sum- 
mit, where  with  proud  cry  it  hails  the  advent  of  morn, 
and  with  eyes  flashing  fire  outdazzles  the  sun.  Its  nest 
is  not  lined  with  down  nor  encompassed  with  flowers ; 
but  on  some  craggy  height,  where  the  tJ»mderbolt.has 
scooped  a  hollow,  the  eaglet  breathes  his  natal  air,  and 
perpetually  augments  his  strength,  tossed  by  tempests 
between  gulfs  below  and  sombre  skies  on  high.  He 
hears  the  avalanche  shoot  and  the  thunders  crash  ;  but 
un terrified  by  the  celestial  flames  that  fringe  the  clouds 
around  him,  and  unexhausted  by  protracted  toil,  he 
shakes  rain  and  snow  away,  nourishes  his  famished 
heart  with  fortitude,  and  turning  a  triumphant  glance 
towards  receding  storms,  spreads  his  mighty  wings  and 
sails  in  triumph  through  heavens  purified  by  the  war  of 
elements  he  has  braved. 

Effects   are   often   mistaken  for  causes.     Accidents 


P*  JOHN    ADAMS.  191 

may  sometimes  develope  great  orators,  but  accidents 
never  create  them.  Their  high  endowments  come 
direct  from  God  ;  their  best  discipline  is  occasioned  by 
the  injustice  of  their  fellow  men.  Philip,  it  has  been 
said,  formed  Demosthenes.  The  dangers  which  he  oc- 
casioned, developed  the  latent  powers  of  the  eloquent 
patriot.  For  example,  look  at  the  circumstances  under 
which  he  delivered  the  great  speech  that  brought  .about 
the  alliance  between  Thebes  and  Athens,  and  led  to  the 
fatal  battle  of  Cheronora.  He  had  warned  his  country- 
men against  Philip,  but  the  tories  of  that  day  calmed 
the  popular  excitement.  At  length,  late  one  evening, 
news  arrived  that  Philip  had  seized  Elatea,  the  key  of 
Phocis  and  Boeotia,  and  might  soon  be  expected  before 
the  walls  of  Athens.  On  the  morrow,  at  dawn  of  day, 
the  Senate  met,  and  the  people  crowded  into  the  assem- 
bly. The  Prytanes  reported  the  news.  The  herald  him- 
self was  produced  and  made  to  recite  from  his  own  lips. 
Then  the  crier  Called  aloud  to  the  assembly,  "  Does  any 
one  wish  to  speak  ?"  None  answered  to  the  call ;  and 
it  was  repeated  over  and  over  again,  until  Demosthenes 
mounted  the  bema,  and  delivered  that  soul-stirring 
speech  which  made  the  assembly  cry  out,  with  one 
voice,  "Let  us  march  against  Philip !"  It  is  only  this 
sort  of  men  who  reveal  the  full  splendors  of  their  native 
majesty,  "  on  occasions  calculated  to  strike  and  agitate 
the  human  soul."  When  consternation-  prevails  in  all 
common  minds, — when  the  brave  are  .dumb  and  the 
most  resolute  dismayed,  those  choice  spirits  intent  on 
securing  the  common  weal,  exclaim,  with  Patrick  Henry, 
"  whatever  others  do,  I'll  fight ;"  and  with  John  Adams, 


• 

192  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

at  the  awful  crisis  of  the  vote  of  July,  1776,  "  Indepen- 
dence, now;  and  INDEPENDENCE  FOR  EVER!" 

The  following  is  a  specimen  of  Mr.  Adams'  style  of 
thought  and  composition,  which  we  copy  from  an  ora- 
tion delivered  before  the  citizens  of  Boston,  on  July  4th, 
1793. 

"  We  cherish,  with  a  fondness  which  cannot  be  chilled 
by  the  cold,  inanimate  philosophy  of  skepticism,  the 
delightful  expectation,  that  the  cancer  of  arbitrary 
power  will  be.  radically  extracted  from  the  human  con- 
stitution ;  that  the  sources  of  oppression  will  be  drained ; 
that  the  passions,  which  have  hitherto  made  the  misery 
of  mankind,  will  be  disarmed  of  all  their  violence,  and 
give  place  to  the  soft  control  of  mild  and  amiable  senti- 
ments, which  shall  unite  in  social  harmony  the  innume- 
rable varieties  of  the  human  race.  Then  shall  the 
nerveless  arm  of  superstition  no  longer  interpose  an 
impious  barrier  between  the  beneficence  of  heaven  and 
the  adoration  of  its  votaries ;  then  shall  the  most  distant 
regions  of  the  earth  be  approximated  by  the  gentle  at- 
traction of  a  liberal  intercourse  ;  then  shall  the  fair 
fabric  of  universal  liberty  rise  upon  the  durable  founda- 
tion of  social  equality,  and  the  long  expected  era  of 
human  felicity,  which  has  been  announced  by  prophetic 
inspiration,  and  described  in  the  most  enraptured  lan- 
guage of  the  muses,  shall  commence  its  splendid  pro- 
gress. Visions  of  bliss !  with  every  breath  to  heaven 
we  speed  the  ejaculation,  that  the  time  may  hasten, 
when  your  reality  shall  be  no  longer  the  ground  of  vo- 
tive supplication,  but  the  theme  of  grateful  acknowledg- 
ment;  when  the  choral  gratulations  of  the  liberated 


JOHN    ADAMS.  193 

myriads  of  the  elder  world,  in  symphony,  sweeter  than 
the  music  of  the  spheres,  shall  hail  your  country,  Ameri- 
cans! as  the  youngest  daughter  of  Nature,  and  the  first- 
born offspring  of  Freedom." 

It  would  seem  that,  at  a  period  somewhat  later  than 
the  date  of  the  above,  this  ardent  and  profound  votary 
of  Freedom  had  already  realized  much  of  his  early  and 
most  enthusiastic  desires.  In  one  of  the  delightful  let- 
ters written  in  the  maturity  of  his  eventful  life,  he  says 
— "  When,  where,  and  in  what  manner  we  shall  see  the 
unravelling  of  the  vast  plot,  which,  is  acting  in  the 
world,  is  known  only  to  Brovidence.  Although  my 
mind  has  for  twenty  years  been  preparing  to  expect 
great  scenes,  yet  I  confess  the  wonders  of  this  Revolu- 
tion exceed  all  that  I  ever  foresaw  or  imagined.  That 
our  country,  so  young  as  it  is,  so  humble  as  it  is,  think- 
ing but  lately  so  meanly  of  itself,  should  thus  interest 
the  passions,  as  well  as  employ  the  reason  of  all  man- 
kind, in  its  favor,  and  effect  in  so  short  a  space  of  time, 
not  only  thirteen  revolutions  of  government  at  home, 
but  so  completely  accomplish  a  revolution  in  the"  system 
of  Europe,  and  in  the  sentiments  of  every  nation  in  it, 
is  what  -no  human  wisdom,  perhaps,  could  foresee." 

True  orators  are  character-born,  or,  as  Napoleon 
said,  they  are  victory  organized.  They  make  a  distur- 
bance in  the  scene  where  they  appear,  because  they  are 
both  strong  and  new ;  they  will  have  to  encounter  the 
force  of  love  and  hatred  proportioned  to  their  own  origi- 
nality. A  massy  and  fleet  man-of-war  makes  a  wake 
as  it  ploughs  the  sea ;  the  sixty-four  pounder  rakes  the 
earth  and  shatters  huge  obstacles  as  it  flies ;  and  so  does 
9 


194  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

a  man  like  John  Adams  make  impressions  that  agitate 
the  world  around  him.  He  fights  the  noblest  battles 
and  wins  th«  most  enduring  feme. 

Says  Fenelon,  "  Demosthenes  moves,  warms  and  cap- 
tivates the  heart.  He  was  sensibry  touched  with  the 
interests  of  his  country.  His  discourses  gradually  in- 
crease in  force,  by  greater  light  and  new  reasons,  which 
are  always  illustrated  by  bold  figures  and  lively  images. 
One  cannot  but  see  that  he  has  the  good  of  the  republic 
entirely  at  heart,  and  that  nature  itself  speaks  in  all  his 
transports."  Adams,  we  repeat,  had  much  of  the  spon- 
taneous passion  of  this  great  prototype,  as  well  as  much 
of  his"  premeditated  wisdom.  Happy  is  he  who  com- 
bines in  his  thought  this  double  power  of  meditation 
and  inspiration.  Sooner  or  later,  whatever  may  be  his 
age,  or  rank,  or  preliminary  suffering,  his  day  will  come ; 
and  then,  endowed  and  disciplined  for  hrs  career,  he  will 
rise  boldly  above  the  multitude,  and  "  read  his  history  in 
a  nation's  eyes." 

John  Adams,  in  his  day  and  for  his  country,  was 
second  to  no  man  that  ever  lived.  Within  his  simple 
exterior  the  divinity  was  concealed,  not  only  latent,  but 
effective  at  will.  If  he  did  not  appear  before  the  world 
with  the  insignia  of  Hercules,  the  shaggy  lion's  skin  and 
the  knotted  club,  he  bore  a  full  quiver  and  the  silver 
bow  of  the  god  of  the  sun,  and  every  shaft  he  loosened 
from  the  string  told  with  unerring  aim  at  the  heart  of 
his  monster-foe. 

Contemplate  him  as  he  appeared  in  the  great  debate 
on  the  adoption  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
standing,  in  that  crisis  of  indescribable  grandeur,  like 


JOHN     ADAMS.  195 

Moses  on  the  mount,  encompassed  with  thunders  and 
lightnings,  bearing  the  tables  of  the  law  in  his  arms,  his 
brow  encircled  with  a  halo  of  fire,  and  his  eye  gleaming 
with  a  prophetic  view  of  a  mighty  nation  soon  to 
emerge  from  thraldom,  and  send  generation  after  gene- 
ration down  through  untold  ages. 

It  was  on  the  evening  of  that  day  on  which  the  most 
momentous  victory  was  won  that  history  can  ever  re- 
cord, that  this-  champion,  yet  agitated  by  the  siorrn  and 
covered  with  the  foam  and  dust  of  battle,  retired  in 
triumph  from  the  field  and  wrote  that  glorious  letter  to 
his  distant  wife,  beginning  with  the  memorable  words — 
"  The  die  is  cast.  We  have  passed  the  Rubicon !" 

Taking  into  account  the  circumstances  under  which 
Adams  inscribed  the  above  triumphant  expression,  and 
the  patriotic  valor  therein  contained,  we  are  strongly 
reminded  of  an  incident  recorded  in  classic  history. 
Immediately  after  the  battle  at  Marathon,  an  Athenian 
soldier,  &till  faint  with  the  loss  of  blood,  quitted  the 
army,  and  ran  to  Athens  to  carry  his  fellow  citizens  the 
happy  news  of  victory.  When  he  arrived  at  the  chief 
magistrate's  house,  he  only  uttered  two  or  three  words : 
"Rejoice,  rejoice,  -the  victory  is  ours!"  and  fell  down 
dead  at  their  feet. 

As  might  be  expected  from  the  temperament  and 
talents  we  have  thus  attempted  to  describe,  the  speeches 
and  writings  of  Mr.  Adams  abound  with  brief  but  sig- 
nificant expressions.  When  the  mind  is  free  and 
thought  is  fearless,  eloquence  speaks  in  condensed  and 
pointed  terms,  like  arrows  which  are  most  sure  when 
they  are  least  encumbered  and  most  swiftly  winged. 


196  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

When  the  soul  is  heroic  and  its  conceptions  fervid,  its 
corruscations  bear  the  brilliant  potency  of  lightning,  ir- 
resistible to  earthly  obstructions,  and  terrible  to  guilt. 

Cotemporaries  say  that  John  Adams  was  peculiarly 
luminous  in  his  demonstrations — as  if  jets  of  light  shot 
out  from  his  eyes,  his  mouth,  and  his  finger  ends.  He 
was  not  large  in  body,  but  his  well-formed  and  expres- 
sive figare  reflected  all  the  passions  of  his  soul.  He 
was  eloquent  all  over.  He  was  a  mental  gladiator,  a 
man  of  forensic  war,  and  never  was  he  mere  beautiful 
than  when  surrounded  by  the  hottest  flames  of  the  fight. 

On  March  4th,  1797,  Mr.  Adams,  then  in  his  62d 
year,  was  inaugurated  President  of  the  United  States. 
A  cotemporary,  an  intimate  accfuaintance  of  our  re- 
nowned countryman,  has  told  us  that  on  that  occasion 
he  was  dressed  in  a  full  suit  of  pearl-colored  broadcloth, 
with  powdered  hair.  He  was  then  bald  on  the  top  of 
his  head.  The  same  writer  observes,  "  Mr.  Adams  was 
of  middle  stature,  and  full  person ;  and  of  slow,  deliberate 
manner,  unless  he  was  excited ;  and  when  this  happen- 
ed, he  expressed  himself  with  great  energy.  He  was  a 
man  of  strong  mind,  of  great  learning,  end  of  eminent 
ability  to  use  knowledge,  both  in  speech  and  writing. 
He  was  ever  a  man  of  purest  morals ;  and  is  said"  to 
have  been  a  firm  believer  in  Christianity,  not  from  habit 
and  example,  but  from  diligent  investigation  of  its 
proofs." 

But  if  the  morning  and  noon  of  Mr.  Adams'  life  were 
auspicious  and  splendid,  the  evening  was  full  of  the 
moral  sublime.  "  Even  when  the  brilliancy  of  reason's 
sunset  yields  to  the  advancing  gloom,  there  is  an  inde- 


r 

JOHN    ADAMS.  197 

scribable  beauty  haunting  the  old  man  still,  if  in  youth 
and  vigor  his  soul  was  conversant  with  truth ;  and  even 
when  the  chill  of  night  is  upon -him,  his  eye  seeing  to 
rest  upon  the  glories  for  a  while  departed,  or  looks  off 
into  the  stars,  and  reads  in  them  his  destiny  with  a 
gladness  as  quiet  and  as  holy  as  their  light.  When  our 
little  day  is  folded  up  in  shadows,  the  darkness  must  .be 
deep  indeed  which  does  not  reveal  eternity  by  the  rays 
of  light  that  reach  us  from  afar ;  but  the  soul  that  can 
rise  above  the  clouds  of  earth,  can  always  behold  the  in- 
finity of  heaven,  and  perhaps  every  rightly  taught  man, 
before  God  takes  him,  ascends  to  a  Pisgah  of  his  own, 
from  whence  to  look  farewell  to  the  wilderness  he  has 
passed  in  the  leadings  of  Jehovah's  right  hand,  and  to 
catch  a  glimpse  of  the  promised  land  lying  in  the  ever- 
lasting orient  before  him." 

It  is  well  known  that  on  July  4th,  1826,  this  great 
man,  after  a  useful  life  found  a  peaceful  death,  breathing 
a  blessing  on  the  country  which  he  had  so  eminently  serv- 
ed, and  exclaiming  to  the  last,  "  independence  for  ever !'' 

Justice  Story,  another  mighty  name  since  inscribed 
by  death  high  in  the  Pantheon  of  American  renown,  in 
allusion  to  Mr.  Adams'  departure  from  life,  well  said  : 
"  That  voice  of  more  than  Roman  eloquence,  which 
urged  and  sustained  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
that  voice,  whose  first  and  whose  last  accents  were  for 
his  country,  is  indeed  mute.  It  will  never  again  rise  in 
defence  of  the  weak  against  popular  excitement,  and 
vindicate  the  majesty  of  law  and  justice.  It  will  never 
awaken  a  nation  to  arms  to  assert  its  liberties.  It  will 
never  again  instruct  the  public  councils  by  its  wisdom. 


198  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

It  will  never  again  utter  its  most  oracular  thoughts  in 
philosophical  retirement."  That  great  and  pure  spirit 
has  departed,  gone  -as 'a  sunbeam  to  revisit  its  native 
skies — gone,  as  this  mortal  to  put  on  immortality. 

"  Ne'er  to  the  chambers,  where  the  mighty  rest, 
Since  their  foundation,  came  a  nobler  guest; 
Nor  ne'er  was  to  the  bowers  of  bliss  conveyed 
A  fairer  spirit,  or  more  welcome  shade." 


CHAPTER   VIII. 


THE    PATRIOTIC   PIETY   OF  '76. 

THE  original  chart  of  American  Liberty  was  drawn 
and  signed  in  the  cabin  of  the  Mayflower.  It  was  a 
civil  compact,  based  on  republican  principles  and  sanc- 
tioned by  religious  faith.  Such  men  as  Carver,  Bradford, 
Brewster,  and  Winslow,  blessed  our  nation  in  its  cradle, 
and  patriotic  teachers  of  religion  have  ever  fostered  its 
growth.  At  an  early  day,  the  acute  and  subtle  Cotton, 
the  erudite  orrd  energetic  Hooker,  and  their  associates, 
replenished  the  beacon-fires  of  learning,  patriotism,  and 
piety  along  our  "  rock-bound  coast."  Not  a  little  did 
these  men  of  God  contribute  to  produce  that  state  of 
things  which  prospectively  seemed  propitious,  and  in 
view  of  which  they  greatly  rejoiced.  In  1644,  Cotton 
wrote  to  his  friends  in  Holland,  "  The  order  of  the 
churches  and  the  commonwealth  is  now  so  settled  in 
New  England  by  common  consent^  that  it  brings  to 
mind  the  new  heaven  and  new  earth,  wherein  dwells 
righteousness."  Hooker  was  an  apostolic  hero,  whose 
eye,  voice,  soul,  gesture,  and  whole  form  were  animated 
with  the  vital  energy  of  primitive  zeal.  He  was  full  of 
public  spirit  and  active  charity,  serenely  trusting  in 
Providence  with  "  a  glorious  peace  of  soul ;"  and, 


200  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

"though  persecutions  and  banishments  had  awaited  him 
as  one  wave  follows  another,"  he  adhered  to  the  cause 
of  advancing  civilization  without  wavering,  and  looked 
for  its  ultimate  triumph  without  a  doubt.  His  cotem- 
poraries  placed  him  "in  the  first  rank  of  men,"  and 
praised  him  as  "  the  one  rich  pearl,  with  which  Europe 
more  than  repaid  America  for  the  treasures  from  her 
coast." 

But  such  is  the  selfish  tendency  of  our  corrupt  nature, 
that  even  the  best  men  are  inclined  to  consolidate 
power  in  themselves  for  the  fortification  of  their  favorite 
creeds.  Some  of  the  leading  Puritans  early  strove  to 
check  the  democratic  tendency  of  colonial  institutions. 
On  the  election  day,  in  May,  1634,  Cotton  preached  to 
the  assembled  citizens  against  rotation  in  office.  But 
the  instinctive  sense  of  political  rights  in  the  masses 
prevailed ;  the  electors,  now  increased  to  three  hundred 
'and  eighty,  were  bent  on  exercising  their  absolute  power; 
they  reversed  the  decision  of  the  pulpit,  elected  a  new 
governor  and  deputy,  of  congenial  sentiments,  and  thus, 
to  use  their  own  language,  "the  people  established  a 
reformation  of  such  things  as  they  judged  to  be  amiss  in 
the  government."  The  dictation  of  popular  rights  by 
aristocratic  cliques  was  annihilated  by  popular  discus- 
sion. "  The  freemen  of  every  town  in  the  Bay  were 
busy  in  inquiring  into  their  liberties  and  privileges." 
The  principle  of  representative  democracy  was  recog- 
nized and  established  as  perfectly  two  centuries  ago,  as 
it  is  to-day. 

But  there  were  two  other  elements  not  yet  clearly 
defined  and  popularly  enjoyed — universal  suffrage  and 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76.  201 

free  toleration  of  religious  'sentiments.  Who  shall  be 
the  herald  and  type  of  these  to  the  world  ?  Let  the  best 
of  American  historians  present  him  to  your  judgment 
and  admiration.  Says  Bancroft,  in  the  first  volume  of 
his  History,  "  Roger  Williams'  mind  had  already  ma- 
tured a  doctrine  which  secures  him  an  immortality  of 
fame,  as  its  application  has  given  religious  peace  to  the 
American  world.  He  was  a  Puritan,  and  a  fugitive 
from  English  persecution ;  but  his  wrongs  had  not 
clouded  his  accurate  understanding ;  in  the  capacious 
recesses  of  his  mind  he  had  revolved  the  nature  of  intol- 
erance, and  he,  and  he  alone,  had  arrived  at  the  great 
principle  which  is  its  sole  effectual  remedy.  He  an- 
nounced his  discovery  under  the  simple  proposition  of 
the  sanctity  of  conscience.  This  was  the  great  tenet, 
which,  with  all  its  consequences,  he  defended,  as  he 
first  trod  the  shores  of  New  England ;  and  in  his 
extreme  old  age  it  was  the  last  pulsation  of  his  heart. 
He  was  the  first  person  in  modern  Christendom  to  assert, 
in- its  plenitude,  the  doctrine  of  the  liberty  of  conscience, 
and  in  its  defence  he  was  the  harbinger  of  Milton,  the 
precursor  and  superior  of  Jeremy  Taylor." 

Dr.  Robertson,  in  his  History  of  America,  says, 
"  Koger  Williams'  spirit  differed  from  that  of  the  Puri- 
tans of  Massachusetts ;  it  was  mild  and  tolerating ;  and 
having  himself  to  reject  established  opinions,  he  endea- 
vored to  secure  the  same  liberty  to  other  men,  by  main- 
taining that  the  exercise  of  private  judgment  was  a 
natural  and  sacred  right ;  that  the  civil  magistrate  has 
no  compulsive  jurisdiction  in  the  concerns  of  religion  ; 
that  the  punishment  of  any  person  on  account  of  his 
9* 


202  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

opinions  was  an  encroachment  on  conscience  and  an 
act  of  persecution.  These  humane  principles  he  instilled 
into  his  followers ;  and  all  who  felt  or  dreaded  oppression 
in  other  settlements,  resorted  to  a  community  in  which 
universal  toleration  was  known  to  be  a  fundamental 
maxim." 

The  Puritans  were  a  noble  race.  As  Junius  said  to 
the  king,  "  They  left  their  native  land  in  search  of  free- 
dom, and  found  it  in  a  desert."  But  they  imported 
errors,  and  were  imbued  with  the  common  imperfections 
of  mankind;  to  correct  which,  Roger  Williams  was 
raised  up  by  Providence,  and  early  planted,  ivith  all  his 
wealth  of  sublime  principle  and  worth,  in  our  infant 
land.  It  is  worthy  of  note,  that  the  sentiments  respect- 
ing toleration  which  he  first  proclaimed,  and  for  which 
he  was  severely  persecuted  by  his  fellow  refugees,  are 
now  the  unanimous  epinions  of  this  great  nation,  while 
those  of  the  Puritans,  on  the  same  subject,  have  been 
discarded,  as  false  in  theory  and  oppressive  in  practice, 
and  are  at  this  moment  obsolete  in  every  free  section 
«f  the  globe.  The  germinal  principle  of  religious  liberty 
which  first  struggled  into  being  under  that  great  and 
good  man's  fostering  care,  amid  bleak  winters  and 
savage 'tribes,  has  since  grown  to  a  mighty  tree,  under 
which  the  nations  are  beginning  to  worship  in  peaceful 
joy.  And  its  growth  is  not  yet  consummated,  thank 
God! 

"  Millions  of  souls  shall  feel  its  power, 
And  bear  it  down  to  millions  more." 

A  careful  perusal  of  our  primitive  annals  will  induce 


THE    PATBIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76.  203 

a  high  appreciation  of  the  patriotic  piety  and  mutual 
sympathy  between,  preachers  and  their  flocks  that  then 
prevailed.  Devoted  ministers  of  religion,  like  Eliot  and 
Wilson,  shared  in  the  hardships  and  dangers  consequent 
on  the  eajly  Indian  wars.  And  when  news  first  arrived 
in  Boston  of  the  menacing  attitude  assumed  by  Eng- 
land, pjompt  consultations  were  held  for  the  common 
weal,  and  the  boldest  measures  were  projected.  The 
fathers  in  Israel  were  all.  assembled,  and  "  discovered 
their  minds  to  one  another.''  They  voted  unanimously 
against  submission,  and  publicly  declared,  says  Winthrop, 
"  We  ought  to  defend  our  lawful  possessions,  if  we  are 
able;  if  not,  to  avoid  and.  protract."  Six  hundred  pounds 
were  immediately  raised  in  the  poor  settlements  of  the 
northern  colony,,  and  the  fortifications  were  hastened  by 
every  kind  of  popular  »id.  The  influence  of  the  minis- 
try was  patriotic  and  conservative,  at  the  South  as  well 
as  around  Plymouth  rock.  Smith,  in  his  history  of  the 
colony  at  Jamestown,  refers  to  the  excellent  Hunt,  by 
whose  "good  doctrine  and  exhortation,"  popular  vices 
were  restrained,  and  the  welfare  of  all  promoted  to  the 
utmost  client. 

The  Revolutionary  War  was  a  struggle  imposed  on 
our  fathers,  not  sought  by  them ;  injustice  was  in  their 
esteem  a  legitimate  cause  for  resistance,  and  all  willingly 
shared  in  the  discharge  of  a  duty  which  none  could 
doubt.  Those  who  led  in  the  church,  an'd  those  who 
led  in  the  field,  were  impelled  by  one  conviction  and 
labored  together  with  the  same  design.  One  taught  the 
law  of  justice,  the  other  defended  it ;  one  was  the  voice 
of  God,  the  other  was  His  arm.  Thus,  the  American 


204  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

Coloaies,  confederated  by  patriotism  and  piety  long  be- 
fore they  were  united  under  a  written  constitution,  felt 
that  their  resistance  to  oppression  was  a  common  cause, 
and  simultaneously  grasped  a  sword  which  had  been 
tempered  in  the  fires  of  suffering  and  bedewed  with  the 
tears  of  the  sanctified.  Then  were  laity  and  clergy 
distributed  to  all  the  posts  of  defence- — the  chamber  of 
council  and  the  field  of  battle, — the  rural  church  and 
the  martial  camp, — -and  from  each  station  of  trust  and 
solicitude,  fervent  prayer  ascended  to  heaven  for  favor 
on  our  arms. 

Burke  said  :  "  The  Americans  augur  misgovernment 
at  a  distance,  and  snuff  the  approach  of  tyfanny  in  every 
tainted  breeze."  The  sense  here  described  was  most 
acute  in  those  whose  faculties  had  been  educated  and 
refined  in  the  school  of  the  Prophets.  As  a  hunter, 
standing  armed,  listens  at  the  foot  of  a  tree  to  see 
whence  comes  the.  wind,  so  they  stood  by  the  altars  they 
were  appointed  to  guard,  and  listened  attentively  in  that 
direction  whence  wrong  approached.  Considerations 
of  time,  place,  peril,  or  calling,  impeded  no  one.  Men 
of  the  greatest  dignity,  largest  wealth,  and  most  sacred 
functions  did  not  stop  to  compute  profit  and  loss :  blood 
was  poured  out  freely  and  poured  for  all.  The  sainted 
Robinson  had  magnanimously  said  to  the  voyagers  in 
the  Mayflower,  that  he  would  not  foreclose  his  mind  to 
the  truth  of  God,  even  if  it  were  new.  The  new  light 
and  liberties  which  our  fathers  had  here  learned  to 
enjoy,  were  deemed  of  too  much  value  to  be  lightly  sur- 
rendered to  injustice  or  the  miserable  expediency  of 
false  mercy.  Conscience  was  their  only  compensation 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETJT    OF    '76.  205 

OH  earth,  and  God  on  high.  Hands  consecrated  to  sa- 
cred service,  breaking  the  bread  of  Hfe  and  soothing 
penitential  sorrow,  from  the  pulpit  scattered  profusely  in 
moral  and  martial  tempests,  seeds  of  patriotic  piety 
whose  glorious  harvests  the  whole  world  is  yet  destined 
to  reap  in  peace. 

Prominent  among  the  religious  patriots  who  preceded 
the  Revolution,  was  the  old  President  of  Yale  College, 
Doctor  Ezra  Stiles*  He  was  small  in  stature,  but  of 
vast  learning,  undoubted  piety  and  fervid  patriotism. 
On  the  occasion  of  the  death  of  George  II.  and  the  ac- 
cession of  George  III.,  he  preached  a  sermon,  in  which 
he- admonished  the  latter  against  suffering  any  retrench- 
ment of  the  liberties  of  New  England.  In  hrs  history 
of  the  three  judges  of  Charles  I.,  (Whalley,  Gofie  and 
Dixwell,)  published  long  before  our  Revolution,  he  an- 
nounced that  the  30th  of  January,  which  was  observed 
by  many  Christians,- in  commemoration  of  the  martyr- 
dom of  that  king,  "  ought  to  be  celebrated  as  an  anni- 
versary thanksgiving,  that 'one  nation  on  earth  kad  so 
much  fortitude  and  public  justice,  as  to  make  a  royal 
tyrant  bow  to  the  sovereignty  of  the  people."  Let  it  be 
added  here,  that-another  distinguished  President  of  that 
ancient  seat  of  letters  and  religion,  Doctor  Timothy 
Dwight,  served  with  becoming  zeal  in  the  councils  of 
his  country,  and  as  a  chaplain  in  her  army. 

Indeed,  patriotism  was  a  trait  common  to  the  great 
majority  of  our  clergy,  both  before  and  during  the  Re- 
volution. They  sided  with  their  country  in  all  the  dis- 
putes with  Great  Britain, — they  prayed  and  preached  in 
favor  of  Independence,  and  in  several  instances  went  so 


ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

far  as  personally  to  take  up  arms.  .  Jonathan  Mahew, 
the  famous  leader  of  the  Episcopal  controversy,  to  whom 
Archbishop  Seeker  and  Dr.  Johnson  replied,  was  not 
only  an  ecclesiastic  of  great  literary  accomplishments, 
but  a  republican  of  the  boldest  port.  OH  every  hand, 
intelligent  and  patriotic  pastors  contributed  powerfully 
to  prepare  the  people  for  prompt  and  persevering  resist- 
ance against  every  encroachment  on  their  rights. 

Rev.  Samuel  Dames,  for  some  time  a  pastor  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  afterwards  President  of  Nassau  Hall,  deserves 
especial  notice.  He  was  born  iti  Delaware,  Nov.  3d, 
1724,  and  received  his  education  in  Pennsylvania.  His 
grand  characteristic,  as  a  patriot  and  preacher,  was 
boldness.  This  is  a  valuable  attribute  in  evei-y  public 
agent.  The  great  Lord  Verulam  declared,  that  "  if  he 
were  asked  what  is  the  first,  second,  and  third  thing  ne- 
cessary for  success  in  business,  he  should  answer,  bold- 
ness, boldness,  boldness."  Timid  and  effeminate' efforts 
in  the  pulpit  are  as  inefficient. and  more  destructive  than 
elsewhere.  The  stupid  soul  is  startled  into  attention 
only  by  bold  blows.  Ministers  may  describe  for  ever  tke 
beauties  of  nature,  the  pleasures  of  virtue,  the  dignity 
of  self-respect  and-  the  vulgarity  of  vice,  but  until  more 
exalted  motives  are  urged,  ami  more  potent  influences 
are  employed,  few  effects  will  follow  that  are  either 
great  or  good.  . 

Davies  was  the  ablest  Dissenter  in  the  southern  pro- 
vinces. His  custom  was  to  study  his-  discourses  with 
great  care.  Being  pressed  to  preach  on  a  certain  occa- 
sion without  his  usual  preparation,  he  replied  :  "  It  is  a 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76.  207 

dreadful  thing  to  talk  nonsense  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord." 

But  he  was  as  prompt  and  fearless  in  any  sudden 
emergency,  as  he  was  habitually  deliberate  and  studious. 
Thanks  to  the  movements  in  behalf  of  religious  liberty 
made  at  the  North,  England  granted  the  Toleration  Ac-t 
in  favor  of  all  the  Colonies.  Virginia,  however,  ruled 
by  her  Episcopal  establishment,  refused  to  admit  that  the 
Dissenters  of  their  territory  were  included.  Davies 
withstood  all  their  forces  alone,  with  Pey4on  Randolph 
at  their  head.  He  had  made  himself  a  thorough  master  of 
English  law,  civil  and  ecclesiastical,  and  always  chose  to 
meet  every  persecuting  indictment  in  the  highest  courts 
with  his  own  plea.  So  powerful  was  he  in  the  capacity 
which  the  law  of  necessity  compelled  him  to  assume, 
that  many  of  his  friends,  and  even  his  foes  vrere  wont  to 
exclaim,.  "What  a  lawyer  w&s  spoiled  when  Davies  took 
the  pulpit!"  Spoiled,  forsooth!1  As  if  the  pulpit,  with 
all  its  themes  of  eternal  interest,  was  not  the  sublimest 
field  for  the  development  and  exercise  of  eloquence  ever 
vouchsafed  to  man. 

Not  satisfied  with  establishing  his  religious  rights  at 
the  bar  of  colonial  power,  he  we»t  to  England  and  ob- 
tained the  explicit  sanction  of  the  highest  authority 
with  respect  to  the  extension  of  the  Toleration  la-w  to 
Virginia.  It  was  during  this  mission  that  he  gave  an- 
other striking  instance  of  his  boldness.  George  II.  and 
many  of  his  court  were  in  the  congregation  of  this 
American  Dissenter.  His  majesty,  struck  with  admira- 
tion, or  forgetting  the  proprieties  of  the  occasion,  spoke 
several  times  to  those  around  him  and  smiled.  Davies 


208          ORATORS    OF    THE.   AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

paused  a  moment,  and  then  looking  sternly  at  the  king, 
exclaimed,  "When  the  lion  roars,  the  beasts  of  the  forest 
all  tremble ;  and  when  King  Jesus  speaks,  the  princes 
of  earth  should  keep  silence." 

Mr.  Davies  was  tall,  manly  and  dignified.  A  distin- 
guished character  of  the  day,  on  seeing  him  pass,  said : 
"he  looked  like  the  ambassador  of  some  great  king." 
His  understanding  was  strong,  his  elocution  graceful, 
and  his  address  on  some  -occasions  was  overwhelming. 
Patrick  Henry  was  his  neighbor  and  ardent  admirer.  It 
is  believed  that  the  renowned  pupil  was  greatly  indebted 
to  this  patriotic  preacher,  both  for  his  sentiments  and 
the  invincible  manner  with  which  he  enforced  them. 

During  the  gloomy  period  when  the  country  was 
alarmed  and  distressed  to  the  highest  degree  by  the 
French  and  Indian  war,  Davies  exerted  himself  con- 
stantly to  mitigate  the  sufferings  of  the  people  and  to 
disperse  their  fears.  On  the  10th  of  July,  1755,  Gen- 
eral Braddock  sustained  his  memorable  defeat^  and  the 
remnant  of  his  army  was  saved  by  the  courage  and  skill 
of  Colonel  Washington,  then  but  twenty-three  years  old. 
On  the  20th  of  the  same  month,  our  moral  hero  preached 
a  sermon,  "On  the  defeat  of  General  Braddock,  going 
to  Fort  Du  Quesne."  In  this  sermon,  he  calls  cm  all 
his  hearers,  m  the  most  impassioned  and  patriotic  terms, 
to  show  themselves  men,  Britons,  Christians,  and  to 
make  a  noble  stand  for  the  blessings  they  enjoyed."  In 
the  same  year,  he  delivered  a  sermon  before  Captain 
Overton's  company  of  volunteers,  under- the  title -of 
"  Religion  and  patriotism,  the  constituents  of  a  good 
soldier."  It  was  in  the  discussion  of  this  subject  that 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76.  209 

his  famous  prophecy  occurred.  Speaking  of  the  en- 
couragiflg  fact,  that  God  had  "  diffused  some  sparks 
of  martial  fire  through  the  country,"  said  he,  "as  a 
remarkable  instance  of  this,  I  may  point  out  to  the 
public  that  heroic  youth,  Colonel  Washington,  whom  I 
cannot  but  hope  Providence  has  hitherto  preserved,  in 
so  signal  a  manner,  for  some  tinportant  service  to  his 
country." 

Sacred  eloquence,  in  revolutionary  limes,  is  the  chief 
conservative  of  order  and  the  grand  solace  of  the  popu- 
lar mind.  While  it  fortifies  the  patriot  in  his  rebellion 
against  tyranny,  it  exhorts  him  to  a  patient  endurance 
of  unavoidable  wrongs.  It  alleviates  as  much  as  possi- 
ble the  pressure  of  the  chain,  by  opening  before  the  suf- 
ferer celestial  horizons,  fragrant  with  immortal  ama- 
rynths,  and  teeming  with  infinite  beatitudes.  Davies 
was  of  this  stamp,  a  bold  patriot  and  a  bold  Christian. 

"  He  had  a  twofold  nature,  and  the  one 
Was  of  a  higher  order,  with  the  souls 
Who  shine  along  the  path  of  centuries 
In  full  and  perfect  brightness,  standing  forth 
In  their  own  loftiness,  the  beacon  lights 
By  which  the  world  is  guided  and  upborne 
From  its  for  ever  downward  tendency. 

Another  patriotic  preacher  fell  a  martyr  to  his  zeal  in 
behalf  of  his  country,  at  Elizabethtown",  New  Jersey. 
On  the  21st  of  January,  1780,  the  first  Presbyterian 
church  was  burned  by  the  British,  and  in  the  following 
November,  they  shot  its  minister,  the  Rev.  James  Gold- 
well.  He  was  a  learned,  pious,  and  devoted  servant  of 


210  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

his  country  and  his  God.  He,  embarked  every  thing  in 
the  holy  cause  he  espoused,  pouring  his  blood  on  the 
earth  after  they  had  burned  the  pulpit  from  which  he 
had  often  poured,  his  patriotic  exhortations  on  the  peo- 
ple's heads.  "  There  were  giants  in  those  days ;"  and  it 
is  easy  to  explain  the  force  of  their  language,  and  the 
fidelity  of  their  actions.  They  preached  in  an  age  of 
revolution,  a  time  of  popular  excitement  and  national 
transition,  when  there  transpired  in  rapid  succession 
changes  more  momentous  than  ever  before  agitated  the 
world.  Then  every  man  was  intensely  absorbed  in  the 
general  struggle ;  feeling  that  the  welfare  of  all  was  en- 
trusted to  each,  every  citizen  was  a  consecrated  soldier, 
in  some  form  contending  for  freedom  and  national  life 
at  his  appointed  post  in  the  very  heat  of  the  combat. 
Among  the  excited  mass,  ministers  of  the  Gospel  were 
by  no  means  the  least  active  or  efficient.  They  ex- 
tended the  aegis  of  a  divine  religion  over  the  battered 
and  exhausted  form  of  the  colonial  confederation,  and  in- 
spired fortitude  in  all  who  were  faint.  They  were  agi- 
tated with  a  lofty  inspiration,  as  the  earth  is  shaken  in 
the  convulsions  of  an  earthquake,  not  by  the  assaults  of 
external  power,  but  by  the  irrepressible  fires  of  freedom 
and  piety  which  burned  within  their  patriotic  hearts.  It 
was  for  this  reason  that  they  had  such  a  mighty  influ- 
ence on  their  hearers.  True  eloquence,  like  true  religion, 
is  a  movement  of  sensibility  as  well  as  an  act  of  reason. 
If  one  has  "  thoughts  that  breathe,"  you  may  be  sure  he 
will  have  "  words  that  burn.".  If  one  is  truly  a  patriot, 
in  the  pulpit  or  oui  of  itx  his  conduct  will  comport  with 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76.  211 

his  professions,  and  his  life  will  be  at  the  service  of  his 
country  as  well  as  of  his  God. 

Illustrious  examples  abound  in  every  direction,  but 
we  will  take  our  next  in  a  region  farther  north.  It  was 
fitting  that  the  first  battle  of  the  Revolution  should  be 
fought  under  the  eves  of  the  church  at  Lexington.  It 
was  in  that  vicinity  that  the  Genius  of  Patriotism  had 
long  dwelt  with  her  enthusiastic  devotee. 

The  town  records  of  Lexington  contain  many  impor- 
tant documents  which  discussed  the  great  questions  in- 
volved in  the  national  struggle  for  Independence.  In 
1765,  the  citizens  vindicated  the  popular  movement  m 
respect  to  the  Stamp- Act.  In  1767,  they  unanimously 
concurred  with  the  resolution  of  Boston,  to  prevent  the 
consumption  of  foreign  commodities.  In  1768,  they 
argued  with  great  force  against  the  right  of  Great 
Britain  to  tax  America.  In  1772,  they  resolved,  in  most 
thrilling  terms,  to  seek  redress  for  daily  increasing 
wrongs;  and  in  1774,  they  took  measures  to  supply 
themselves  with  ammunition,  arms  and  other  requisites 
for  military  defence.  What  hero  drew  those  mastwly 
papers,  defended  their  principles,  and  fired  the  people  at 
all  hazards  to  defend  them  ?-  History  has  recorded  the 
fact,  that  the  Reverend  Jonas  Clank,  was  their  author 
and- chief  defence.  He  was  one  of  the  many  patriotic 
clergy  of  New  England,  who  instructed  their  beloved 
flock  in  peace,  and  guarded  them  amid  the  dread  neces- 
sities of  war.  "Mr.  Clark,"  says  Edward  Everett, 
"  was  eminent  in  his  profession, — a  man  of  practical 
piety, — a  learned  theologian, — a  person  of  wide,  general 
reading, — a  writer  perspicuous,  correct,  and  pointed,  be- 


212  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

yond  the  standard  of  the  day, — and  a  most  intelligent, 
resolute^  and  ardent  champion  of  the  popular  cause.  He 
was  connected  by  marriage-  with  the  family  of  John 
Hancock.  Their  connection  led  to  a  portion  of  the  in- 
teresting occurrences  of  the  19th  of  April,  1775.  The 
soul-stirring  scenes  of  the  great  tragedy  which  was 
enacted  on  this  spot,  were  witnessed  by  Mr.  Clark, 
from  the  door  of  his  dwelling  hard  by.  To  perpetuate 
their  recollection,  he  instituted,  the  following  year,  a  ser- 
vice of  commemoration.  He  delivered  himself  a  his- 
torical discourse  of  great  merit,  which  was  followed  on 
the  returns  of  the  anniversary,  till  the  end  of  the  Revo- 
lutionary war,  in  a  series  of  addresses  in  the  same  strain, 
by  the  clergy  of  the  neighboring-  towns." 

These  were  the  brave  men  of  prophetic  eye  .who  as- 
cended the  altars  -of  God  to  proclaim  in  ,clear  tones  and 
firm  faith  the  future  era  of  American  democracy.  They 
had  the  disposition  and  capacity  to  take  far-reaching  and 
comprehensive  views.  They  were  not  content  to  con- 
sume the  passing  hour,  in  amusing  on  the  deck  of  the 
ship  of  State,  the  audience  that  surrounded  them  with 
applause ;  they  knew  the  extent  and  the  perils  of  the 
sea  upon  which  they  were  borne ;  they  consulted  the 
currents  of  the  tides  and  the  ominous  winds ;  equally 
regardful  of  charts  and  guiding  stars,  they  gave  heed  to 
the  reef  o.n  which  their  buffeted  craft  might  suddenly 
be  dashed,  and  looked  anxiously  forward  to  -a  haven 
where  tempest-tossed  humanity  might  in  safety  be 
moored.  But  their  solicitude,  instead  of  impeding  their 
activity,  inspired  it.  Animated  by  motives  grand  as  the 
liberties  of  a  continent,  these  Christian  soldiers  illus- 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OP    '76.  213 

trated,  in  their  persons  and  work,  how  courage  becomes 
more  firm  when  fortified  by  the  principles  of  patriotic 
piety,  that  a  warrior  is  invincible  when  inspired  by 
faith,  and  when  he  can  raise  pure  hands  to  the  God  of 
battles,  in  whose  name  he  fights.  It  is  under  such  cir- 
cumstances and  from  such  men  that  we  may  expect  im- 
pressive preaching.  The  eloquence  of  the  pulpit  is  «ot 
a  festive  pantomime,  but  a  bold  and  rugged  eloquence 
that  does-  battle  with  stern  realities.  The  weapons 
which  the  preacher  is  called  to  use,  like  the  sword  which 
guarded  Eden's  gate,  must  have  the  brilliancy  of  flame 
as  well  as  the  force  and  edge  of  steel.  The  era  of  '76 
was  favorable  to  the  highest  order  of  eloquence.  Every 
youth  came  upon  the  public  stage  with  the  cap  of  lib- 
erty upon  his  head,  and  a  passport  to  victory  or  death  in 
his  hand.  Then  the  people  assembled  in  their  churches, 
to  invoke  the  blessing  of  God  on  their  arms,  while  their 
pastors  preached  to  them-  under  the  frowns  of  power 
and  in  the  prospect  of  martyrdom.  This  gave  fervor 
to  their  thoughts,  depth  to  their  sympathies,  earnestness 
and  solemnity  to  their  daring  resolutions.  Outward 
perils  and  inward  solicitude  invested  the  preacher  with 
the  power  of  thrilling  his  audience  through  and  through 
with  repeated  shocks  of  mental  batteries"  highly  charged. 
They  did  not  fatigue  with  elegant  inanity,  nor  stupify 
with  excessive  prettiness.  Their  soul  teehied  with  an 
intense  virility,  and  their  language  was  forked  with  ter- 
rific splendor.  They  seemed  more  like  prophets  than 
priests,  master-spirits  raised  up  to  mould  the  destinies 
of  mankind ;  their  attitudes  were  dignity  ;  their  gestures 
power.  The  functions  they  discharged  were  divine ;  their 


214  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

tones  were  trumpets  vocal  with  messages  from  heaven ; 
their  sentiments  blazed  like  meteors  prognosticating 
conflicts,  conquests,  and  final  doom.  Each  one  of  those 
martial  heroes  who  glorified  the  era  of  '76,  was  a  co- 
lossus among  ordinary  men,  and  stood  forth  in  native 
majesty,  indomitable,  unmoved,  sublime. 

A  happy  combination  of  piety  and  patriotism,  consti- 
tuting the  -  mest  useful  private  and  public  virtue,  we 
have  already  found  in  different  sections  of  our  common 
country  during  the  Revolution.  We  have  only  to  turn 
to  the  highest  council  of  our  infant  nation,  the  most 
august  assembly  of  men  that  ever  congregated  to  declare 
themselves  free,  and  we  shall  find  another  illustrious 
example  in  the  person  of  John  Witherspoon, 

He  was  lineally  descended  from  John  Knox,  the 
moral  hero  of  Scotland,  was  born  near  Edinburgh,  1722, 
and,  from  the  time  he  adopted  America  as  his  country, 
was  as  much  distinguished  as.  a  preacher  as  a  patriot. 
Dr.  Witherspoon  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  which  he  eloquently  defended; 
through  a  trying  period  of  congressional  responsibility 
he  was  a  very  efficient  legislator ;  and  for  many  years 
performed  the  duties  of  a  laborious,  erudite,  and  emi- 
nently successful  president  of  Princeton  College.  On 
taking  his  seat  in  Congress,  he  surprised  his  associates, 
as  his  brother  Davies,  who  now  sleeps  by  his  side,  had 
surprised  the  courts  of  Virginia,  with  .his  wonderful 
knowledge  and  skill  as  a  civilian.  He  was  associated 
with. Richard  Henry  Lee  and  John  Adams  on  several 
important  committees  and  himself  drew  many  valuable 


THE    FATlrtOTIC   flETY    OF    '76.  215 

State  papers.  AH  his  productions  are  marked  by  wit, 
energy,  and  eloquence. 

Of  his  wit,  one  or  two  examples  will  suffice.  Just 
before  the  momentous  decision  of  the  fourth  of  July,  a 
distinguished  member  had  said  ift  debate,  that  we  were 
"not  yet  ripe  for  a  Declaration  of  Independence."  Dr. 
Witherspoon  responded,  "  in  my  judgment,  sir,  we  are 
not  only  ripe  bat  rotting."  Close  and  rigid  argument 
was  his  rule  of  debate,  but  corruscations  of  vivacious 
fancy  sometimes  furnished  amusing  exceptions.  H« 
had  the  tact  to  beguile  an"  •eudienee  of  weariness,  by 
indulging  wisely  in  sarcastic  mental  frolics. 

"  The  humorous  vein,  strong  sense,  and  simple  style, 
To  teach  the  gayest,  make  the  gravest  smile." 

For  example  :  when  Burgoyne's  army  was  captured  at 
Saratoga,  General  Gates  despatched  one  of  his  aids  to 
convey  the  intelligence  to  Congress.  The  officer  in- 
dulged too  freely  in  amusements  by  the  way.  so  that  the 
news  reached  Philadelphia  several  days  ahead  of  him. 
Congress,  however,  principally  for  form's  sake,  proposed 
to  present  him  an  elegant  sword  ;  but  Dr.  Witherspoen 
rose,  and  begged  leave  to  move,  that  instead  of  a  sword, 
they  should  present  him  a  pair  of  golden  spurs. 

Thi«  anecdote  suggests  a  word  or  two  with  respect 
to  his  energy.  It  was  a  trait  which  rendered  him  ex- 
ceedingly useful  as  a  patriot  and  preacher.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1776,  the  army  was  in  a  deplorable  condition  for 
want  of  necessary  supplies.  They  were  retreating, 
almost  naked  and  barefooted,  in  wintry  cold,  before  a 
numerous  and  well-appointed  foe.  Congress  was  in- 


216     ORATORS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 

formed  that  the  military  force  of  the  country  was  "  much 
more  disposed  to  secure  safety  by  submission,  than  t6 
seek  it  by  a  manly  resistance."  In  this  fearful  crisis, 
Witherspoon  was  appointed  the  chairman  of  a  commit- 
tee to  repair  to  head-quarters,  and  co-operate  with 
Washington  in  redressing  the  grievances  of  the  soldiers. 
Triumphant  success  crowned  their  energy. 

Numerous  tokens  of  Dr.  Witherspoon's  eloquence 
remain  on  the  journal  of  Congress  and  in  the  literature 
of  the  country.  He  usually  wrote  the  main  body  of 
his  discourse  with  great  cate ;  but  being  a  ready  speaker, 
and  possessing  a  remarkable  talent  for  extemporizing,  he 
could  dexterously  blend  that  which  was  premeditated  and 
that  which  was  spontaneous,  so  as  to  give  the  aggregate 
an  air  of  great  beauty  and  force.  In  one  of  his  admira- 
ble rhetorical  works  he  has  himself  said,  "  There  is  a 
piercing  heat  and  penetrating*  force  in  that  which  flows 
from  the  heart,  which  distinguishes  it  not  only  from  the 
coldness  of  indifference,  but  also  from  the  false  fire  of 
enthusiasm  or  vain  glory." 

Excepting  Washington,  he  is  said  to  have  possessed 
more  of  what  is  called  presence,  than  any  other  man  of 
his  day.  He  was  six  feet  high,  nobly  proportioned,  and 
remarkably  impressive  in  voice,  movement,  and  mien. 
It  was  equally  difficult  for  unruly  students  or  thoughtless 
men  to  trifle  in  his  presence. 

As  soon  as  the  liberties  of  the  country  -were  won, 
Dr.  Witherspoon  gladly  resumed  his  classical  pursuits 
and  the  work  of  the  ministry.  In  a  ripe  and  glorious 
old  age,  he  died  in  peace,  having  accomplished  vastly 
more  than  the  Cardinal  de  Retz.  "  A  man,"  said  Bos- 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OP    '76.  217 

suet,  "who  was  so  faithful  to  individuals,  so  terrible  to 
the  State;  of  so  lofty  a  character,  that  it  was  impossible 
to  esteem,  to  fear,  to  love,  or  to  hate  him  in  moderation. 
Firm  in  himself,  he  shook  the  universe,  and  obtained  a.* 
dignity,  which  he  afterwards  wished  to  resign,  as  un- 
worthy of  what  it  had  cost  him  ;  as  an  object  beneath 
his  mighty  mind.  But  while  he  was  in  pursuit  of  what 
he  was  afterwards  taught  to  despise,  he  shook  every 
thing  by  his  secret  and  powerful  energies".  Even 'in 
the  universal  overthrow  of  all  around  him,  he  appeared 
to  suffice  for  his  own  support,  and  his  intrepid  aspect 
still  breathed  defiance -to  his*  adversary." 

But  the  doctor's  greatest  forte  was  in  the  pulpit.  He 
felt  habitually,  and  especially  in  preaching, — a  pursuit 
in  his  avowed  opinion  the  most  sublime  of  all,— -that  "it 
is  not  enough  to  speak,  but  to  speak  true."  His  viva- 
city, his  fervid  logic,  his  impressive  manner;  and  spon- 
taneous ense,  all  combined  to  make  him  a  model 
preacher,  as  well  as  model  citizen.  The  ambassador 
for  Christ,  to  be  eloquent,  must  be  true  to  the  promptings 
of  his  nature  when  least 'shackled.  It  will  not  answer 
to  conceal  that  which  is  intrinsically  noble,  for  the 
purpose  of  conciliating  the  ignobly  prejudiced.  The 
inspired  heart  and  the  glorious  gospel  are  both  the 
creations  of  the  same  infinite  hand,  and;  "  being  things 
so  majestieal,"  we  should  not  "  offer  them  the  least  show 
of  violence."  Let.  the  preacher  throw  himself  into  the 
heart  of  his  audience  with  all  the  brave  confidence  of 
spontaneous  inspiration,  then  will  the  tones  and  emo- 
tions native  to  his  soul  awaken'a  sleeping  echo  in  every 
other  bosom.  Delicate  specimens  of  refined  style  are 
10 


218          ORATOBS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    BEVOLUTION. 


usually  the  concomitants  of  languor  and  imbecility. 
They  are  often  obtained  at  the  sacrifice  of  those  hardier 
felicities,  which,  like  alpine  flowers,  adorn  the  inequali- 
^  ties  of  a  more  rugged  and  artless  composition.  It  is 
not  new  arguments  or  novel  images  that  -ai'e  most 
demanded  in  the  ordinary  routine  of  modern  pulpit 
ministration's,  but  that  energy  of  -soul'  which  invests 
even  feeble  logic  with  startling  power,  and  renders  trite 
illustrations  appalling  to  .the  aroused.  We  need  more 
<jf  that  deep  and  strong  feeling  which  melts  into  love, 
kindles  jnto  hope,  or  stiffens  with  despair.  The  mind 
of  a  pulpit  orater  should  traverse  the  field  of  literary 
research  and  biblical  exposition,  as  a  potent  angel 
careers  through  the  unfathomed  abyss  of  etherial  space  ; 
now  obscured  in  the  dark  recesses  of  thunder,  and  now 
shooting,  in  bold  relief,  through  fleecy  clouds  of  gold  ; 
now  plunging  to  the  i^emote  horizon,  as  if  to  test  the 
speed  and  power  of  his  wing,  and  now  floating  in  calm 
majesty  through  the  infinite  azure  of  untroubled  sky. 
Such  a  man,  was 

Dr.  Samuel  StiUmaii,  of  Bostoit.  This  distinguished 
patriot  and  divine  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  buj  was 
removed  early  to  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  .where  he 
was  educated,  and  where  he  was-.  ordained,  in  1759. 
He  removed  to  Boston,  1763,  and  remained  there  until 
his  death,  1806,  the  universally  admired  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church. 

He  was  small  in  stature,  but  great  of  soul.  His 
courtesy  was  proverbial;  his-  accomplishments  were  di- 
versified, his  piety  was  undisputed  by  all,  and  his  patriotic 
preaching  unexcelled.  He  was  explicit  and  bold  in  avow- 


, 

THE    FATRIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76.  219 

peculiar  views,  but  was  exceedingly  forbearing  in 
demeanor  towards  those  who  were  conscientiously 
opposed.  It  was  only  the  vicious  arxd  the  recreant, — 
those  who  armed  themselves  with  malignant  hatred 
against  the  cross  and  his  country, — that  suffered  beneath 
his  scathing  bolts.  His  ambition  was  that  of  a  moral 
hero,  who  contended  without  anger,  conquered  without 
meanness,  and  accumulated  triumphs  without  pride; 
habitually  desirous  of  being  governed  by.  the  golden 
rule,  he  fashioned  his  conduct  under  the  influence  of 
virtue  and  wisdom  from  above.  Clothing  his  arms 
with  light  he  fought  against  the  powers  of  darkness  ;  at 
the  same  time  contemplating  with  humble  gratitude 
the  miry  pit  from  which  he  had  emerged,  and  putting 
forth  an  active  hand  to  rescue  those  who  remained  behind. 
He  fostered  every  Christian  en-terpr&e,  and  neglected 
no  effort  that  might.contribute  to  instruct  those  whom 
prejudice  had  blinded,  or  set  free  from  the  thraldom  of 
error  those  whom  cupidity  had  long  kept  bound. 

The  respect  which  this  admirable  preacher  won  was 
most  comprehensive  and  of  the  highest  kind.  Among 
refined  gentlemen,  liberal  scholars,  and  eloquent  divines, 
he  ranked  second  to  none  of  any  section  or  name. 
Standing  in  the  presence  of  armed  foes,  he  preached 
with  a  power  that  commanded  respect,  even  when  he 
could  not  create  compunction.  When  the  British  took 
possession  of  Boston,  and  desecrated  its  sacred  edifices, 
some  of  the  more  skillful  of  their  number,  who  had 
recoiled  under  Stillman's  patriotic  appeals,  illustrated 
their  spite  by  drawing  a  charcoal  outline  of  the  great 
divine  on  the  plastered  wall  of  his  own  pulpit,  in  all 


220  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

the  freedom  of  expressive  gesture  and  eloquent  denun- 

» 
ciation. 

It  will  not  seem  strange  that  Dr.  Stillman's  own 
church  was  habitually  thronged,  or  that  whenever  he 
visited  other  cities  his  instructions  were  sought  with 
avidity  by  the  most  exalted  minds.  John  Adams  wrote 
to  his  wife,  thus : 

"  PHILADELPHIA,  4th  Aug.,  1776. 

"  Went  this  morning  to  the  Baptist  meeting,  in  hopes 
of  hearing  Mr.  Stillman,  but  was  disappointed.  He 
was 'there,  but  another  gentleman  preached." 

These  letters  of  John  Adams  to  his  wife,  abound 
with  intimations  of  the  patriotism  of  the  pulpit  in  those 
days.  In  one,  dated  "7th  July,  1775;"  he  inquires: 
"Does  Mr.  Wibird  preach  against  oppression,  and  the 
other  cardinal  vices  of  the  times  ?  Tell  him,  the  clergy 
here,  of  every  denomination,  thunder  and  lighten  every 
Sabbath.  They  pray  for  Boston  and  the  Massachu- 
setts. They  thank  God  explicitly  and  fervently*  for 
our  remarkable  successes.  They  pray  for  the  Ameri- 
can army.  They  seem  to  feel  as  if  they  were  among 
you." 

The  secular  and  the  sacred  patriots  of  that  age  labor- 
ed, in  different  spheres,  to  fortify  the  two  wings  of  the 
same  army.  One  promoted  defence  by  martial  force, 
the  other  extended  the  interests  of  religion;  one  beat 
down  the  ramparts  of  invading  power,  the  other  erected 
the  shrines  of  education  and  piely  ;  one  drove  back  the 
Philistines  from  our  shores,  the  other  built  pavilions 
for  Israel's  God.  When  the  battle  was  over  and  the 
great  boon  of  liberty  was  won,  both  parties  were  found 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OP    '76.  221 

at  the  same  altars,  having  toiled  >  for  one  end,  and 
expressing  gratitude  for  blessings  dearly  bought,  and  by 
each  equally  prized. 

Dr.  Stillman  was  foremost  among  those  who  with  one 
hand. discomfited  the  Amalekites,  and  raised  the  other  to 
implore  divine  benedictions.  To  the  heroism  of  Joshua, 
in  the  combat,  he  joined  the  faith  of  Moses  upon  the 
mountain,  beholding  the  goodly  heritage  which  he  had 
panted  to  secure,  and  bearing  under  the  arms  of  a  war- 
rior the  heart  and  docility  of  a  child.  Always  on  the 
field  of  battle,  conquering  souls  for  God  or  confounding 
his  foes,  each  step  he  took  marked  a  new  victory,  and 
at  the  .end  of  his  career  he  triumphantly  grasped  the 
amarynth  of  immortal  bliss, 

"  And  now  'tis  silence  all — Enchanter,  fare  thee  well !" 

Archbishop  Carroll  was  a  devoted  patriot  and  elo- 
quent preacher.  He  was  the  first  Catholic  Bishop  of 
the  United  States.  On  the  22d  of  February,  1800,  by 
a  solemn  and  admirable  discourse,  he  commemorated 
the  character  and  services  of  General  Washing4on,  who 
had  died  but  a  few  months  before.  It  has  been  said  by 
those  who  heard  it,  that  when  he  recited  the  terrors,  the 
encouragements,  the  distresses,  and  the  glories  of  the 
struggle  of  Independence,  he  appeared  to  be  laboring 
under  intense  emotions  correspondent  to  those  topics — 
to  be  swayed  like  the  aged  minstrel  of  the  poet,  with 
contagious,  influences,  by  the  varied  strain  which  he  ut- 
tered. Happy  for  our  country  and  the  world  will  it  be, 
if  all  our  divines  shall  remain  as  loyal  as  these.  A  high 
sense  of  national  honor,  that  everlasting  fire  which  alone 


222  ORATORS    OF' THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

keeps  patriotism  warm  in  the  hearts  of  its  citizens,  we 
cannot  guard  with  a  care  too  vigilant,  and  a  jealousy 
too  acute.  A  nation  without  the  conservative  influence 
of  patriotic  piety,  may  well  say  to  corruption,  thou  art 
my  father,  and  to  the  worm,  thou  art  my  mother  and 
my  sister.  Every  citizen,  be  his  calling  what  it  may, 
should  bear  the  rose  of  heaven  on  his  cheek  and  the  fire 
of  liberty  in  his  eye. 

The  best  orators  of  every  age  have  been  created  by 
the  oppressive  circumstance,  in  the  midst  of  which  they 
have  suddenly  arisen  with  resistless  power,  as  if  they 
gathered  strength  and  inspiration  from  the  terrors  of  the 
storm.  When  the  age  needs  great  men  it  will  find  them 
— heroes  not  of  the  timid  mimosa  kind,. who  "fear  the 
dark  cloud,  and  feel  the  coming  sound."  Preachers  in 
Revolutionary  times  are  eminently  practical ;  nature 
supplies  them  with  abundant  ammunition,  and  necessity 
teaches  them  expressly  to  load  and  fire.  They  are  the 
flying  artillery  of  "  the  sacramental  host  of  God's  elect." 
They  are  inspired  by  no  fictitious  goddess  of  the  Aonian 
Mount,  but  by  that  Eternal  Spirit  who  directed  the  pen 
of  Moses,  the  fingers  of  David,  and  the  tongue  of  Paul; 
they  drink  of  no  fancied  Pierian  spring,  but  at  a  purer 
and  more  exalted  source. 

The  great  Reformer  said,  "  Human  nature  is  a  rough 
thing,  and  rrfust  have  rough  ministers  to  chastise  it." 
Preachers  who  deal  in  sentimental  commonplaces  about 
the  odor  of  roses  and  the  blandishments  of  virtue,  with- 
out enforcing  the  repugnant  doctrines  of  transforming 
truth,  are  more  recreant  to  duty  and  the  welfare  of  man 
than  was  the  tyrant  Nero,  when  he  despatched  ships  to 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76.  223 

Egypt,  the  granary  of  the  world,  in  quest  of  sand  for 
his  gladiators,  at  a  time  when  Rome  was  starving  with 
famine. 

The  most  highly  endowed  among  men  are  the  chosen 
medium  of  communications  from  heaven.  Such  spirits 
are  most  numerous  when  most  needed,  and  most  pow- 
erful in  the  tempests  which  they  are  born  to  rule.  The 
impressive  inarch  of  events  through  which  power  on 
high  is  manifested  to  powers  here  below,  the  eternal 
unity  of  their  cause  and  the  solemn  harmony  of  their 
results  have  an  aspect  that  profoundly  strikes  the  mind. 
Under  such  clicking  influences,  that  which  is-  sublime 
and  immortal  hi  man  clearly  reveals  itself,  and  listens 
to  the  voices  that  proclaim 

"A  Providence  that  shapes  our  ends, 
Rough-hew  them  as  we  may." 

The  chosen  ones  of  earth  garner  up  these  mysterious 
testimonies,  and  with  them  substantiate  their  faith. 
While  Providence  thunders  m  portentous  events  they 
fulminate  with  divine  inspirations,  and  it  is  thus  that 
celestial  instruction  is  perpetuated  and  rendered  intelli- 
gent to  mankind.  This  was  the  mission  which  oijr  pa- 
triotic fathers  were  raised  up  to  perform ;  in  every  dread 
emergency,  heroes  like  them  are  placed  by"  Jehovah  on 
the  watch-towers  of  Jerusalem,  and  they  are  silent 
neither  day  nor  night.  They  are  the  godlike*  "  who  re- 
sist unto  blood,  striving  against  sin."  The  banner  of 
Constantino  bore  upon  its  folds  a  cross  for  a  device,  and 
the  motto  inscribed  below,  Spes  Publica.  Christian 
leaders  have  never  been  permitted  to  be  mdre  carpet- 


224  OEATOKS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

knights,  effeminate  actors  in  gay  tournaments, — but 
masculine  antagonists  amid  gigantic  perils  on. a  fearful 
battle-field. 

Glance  for  a  moment  over  the  page  of  ecclesiastical 
history,  and  see  how  the  noblest  heroes  have  been  edu- 
cated and  employed.  Chrysostom,  the  most  brilliant 
preacher  of  the  ancient  church,  was  compelled  by  duty 
to  face  Eudoxia  as  Latimer  braved  Henry  the  Eighth,  or 
our  own  Davies  awed  into  silence  George  the.  Second. 

At  a  dark  period  of  moral  history,  the  preaching  of 
Peter  the  Hermit  and  of  Bernard  induced  multitudes  to 
assume  outwardly  the  symbol  of  the  cross ;  and  under 
more  divine  auspices,  at  a  later  pei'iod,  a  monk  of  the 
order  of  Augustine,  transformed  into  something  nobler, 
influenced  the  hearts  of  myriads  to  take  up  the  true 
cross, — the  truth  that  saves  the  soul.  And  who  was 
this  hero  of  the  famous  German  Reformation  ?  Frederic 
had  power  and  wisdom ;  Reuchlin  and  Erasmus  had 
talent  and  learning;  Hutten  had  wit,  and  Sickengen 
courage ;  Cronberg  had  virtue  of*  an  exajted  character, 
and  Melancthon  was  endowed  with  almost  every  excel- 
lence that  can  belong  to  man.  But  these  were  all  com- 
pelled to  say,  in  respect  to  the  needed  strength,  "  it  is 
not  in  me."  Something  mightier  was  needed  than 
erudite  scholars,  accomplished  princes,  valorous  warriors, 
and  pedantic  priests.  Luther  appeared,  and  brought 
with  him,  to  use  his  own  description,  "  that  theology 
which  seeks  the  kernel  of  the  nut,  the  pulp  of  the  wheat, 
the  marrow  of  the  bone."  The  world  began  to  listen 
to  preaching,  strange  indeed,  but  life  giving.  It  was  no 
longer  a  meretricious  rhetorician  nor  a  subtle  schoolman 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76.  225 

that  addressed  them ;  it  was  a  brother  man  who  had 
felt  the  power  of  divine  truth  on  his  own  heart,  and 
whose  impressive  manner  certified  that  he  was  intent 
on  winning  souls  to  Christ.  A  famous  doctor,  Meller- 
stadt,  mixed  in  the  crowds  who  attended  on  Luther's 
preaching.  "  This  monk,"  said  he,  "  will  put  all  doctors 
to  the  rout ;  he  will  introduce  a  new  style  of  doctrine, 
and  will  reform  the  whole  church  ;  he  builds  upon  the 
word  of  Christ ;  and  no  one  in  this  world  can  either 
resist  or  overthrow  that  word,  though  it  should  be 
attacked  with  all  the  weapons  of  Philosophers,  Sophists, 
Scotists,  Albertists,  and  Thomists." 

The  great  maxim  of  Erasmus  was  "  Give  light,  and 
the  darkness  will  disperse  of  itself."  Luther  practised 
on  that  rule,  and  the  light  came.  "  I  swear  manfully  to 
defend  the  truth  of  the  Gospel,"  was  the  oath  he  took 
when  he  was  made  a  doctor  of  theology.  His  words 
smote  against  the  popular  heart  as  mighty  waves  dash 
against  the  shore  of  the  sea. 

The  American  most  like  him  was  Samuel  Davies. 
Said  Luther,  "  If  in  my  sermons  I  thought  of  Melanc- 
thon  and  other  doctors,  I  should  do  no  good ;  but  I 
speak  with  perfect  plainness  for  the  ignorant,  and  that 
satisfies  every  body.  Such  Greek,  Latin,  and  Hebrew 
as  I  have,  I  reserve  for  the  learned.  Nothing  is  more 
agreeable  or  useful  for  a  common  audience  than  to 
preach  on  the  duties  and  examples  of  Scripture.  Ser- 
mons on  grace  fall  coldly  on  their  ears."  President 
Davies  understood  these  maxims  of  common  sense  well, 
and  reduced  them  to  practice.  He  was  undoubtedly 
one  of  the  most  accomplished  and  successful'  pulpit  ora- 
10* 


226  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

tors  of  this  or  any  other  land.  Though  he  died  at 
thirty -six,  he  reared  memorials  of  the  power  of  his  sacred 
eloquence,  more  precious  and  enduring  than  Pharaonic 
monuments. 

"These  stars  have  set;  0,  rise  some  other  such  !" 

When  the  children  of  Israel  were  about  to  leave 
Egypt,  Moses  was  afraid  to  take  the  command,  because 
he  felt  the  need  of  sovereign  eloquence  to  sustain  such 
an  office.  Jehovah,  in  his  promise  to  supply  the  want 
of  this  exalted  gift,  acknowledged  its  importance  as  he 
answered,  "  Is  not  Aaron,  the  Levite,  thy  brother  ?  I 
know  that  he  can  speak  well,  a»d  he  shall  be  thy  spokes- 
man unto  the  people."  And  as  the  tide  of  Reformation 
moved  westward,  observe  how  good  speaking  was,  as 
ever,  its  herald  and  support.  An  impressive  manner  is 
always  most  conspicuous  when  it  is  most  needed.  The 
immense  crowds  that  thronged  around  St.  Paul's  Cross, 
in  London,  and  listened  through  successive  hours  in  the 
open  air  to  Jewell  and  Larimer,  were  not  influenced  by 
the  artistic  glories  of  magnificent  architecture, — thrilling 
melody,  breathing  marbles,  soaring  arches,  or  the  en- 
trancing illumination  of  gorgeous  windows, — and  yet 
those  motley  multitudes  were  swayed  to  and  fro  by 
sacred  eloquence,  as  a  whirlwind  bends  forest  boughs. 
Colet,  the  persecuted  dean  of  St.  Paul's,  in  1505,  was 
highly  gifted  in  rhetorical  excellence';  and  so  was  the 
superlatively  accomplished  Andrews.  Concerning  the 
latter,  the  illustrious  Sir  Thomas  More  went  so  far  as 
even  to  praise  the  language  of  his  face.  Of  Donne,  also 
dean  of  St.  Paul's,  in  the  reign  of  James  I.,  the  follow- 


OBATOIS    OF    TH£    A*|EniOAN    REVOLUTION.         227 


ing  exquisite  sketch  is  given  by  Walton  :  "  A  preacher 
in  earnest,  weeping  sometimes  for  his  auditory;  some- 
times with  them  ;  always  preaching  to  himself,  Hke  an 
angel  from  a  cloud,  but  in  none  ;  carrying  some,  as  St. 
Paul  was,  to  heaven  in  holy  raptures,  and  enticing 
others  by  a  sacred  art  and  courtship  to  amend  their 
lives;  and  all  this  with  a  "most  particular  grace  and  an 
inexpressible  addition  of  loveliness." 

While  the  great  theological  contest  was  yet  raging,  it 
happened  that  Hooker  was  the  master  of  the  Temple- 
Church,  and  Travers  the  afternoon  lecturer.  It  was  with- 
in that  exquisite  edifice  recently  restored,  that  the  author 
of  the  Polity  delivered  some  of  the  noblest  prose  in  the 
English  language.  But  his  manner  was  bad.  He 
spoke  with  a  feeble  voice,  and  with  his  eyes  fixed  in  a 
downward  look,  says  Walton,  "  insomuch  that  he  seem- 
ed to  study  as  he  spake."  His  opponent,  Travers,  on 
the  contrary,  was  endowed  with  popular  gifts  ;  and  it 
was  not,  as  was  often  said,  "becaftse  they  had  Rome 
in  the  morning  and  Geneva  in  the  afternoon,  that  the 
Temple  was  crowded  m  every  part  when  Travers  as- 
cended fhe  pulpit.  The  preference,  felt  instinctively  by 
afl,  will  ever  be  given  to  -the  glowing  utterance  of 
thought  and  feeling,  instead  of  the  calm  enumerations 
of  frigid  logic.  "Argumentative  preaching  is  effective 
only  rrs  it  is  associated  with  the  emotional  part  of  reli- 
gion. Burke  has  said,  "  There  is  no  heart  so  hard  as 
that  of  a  thorough-bred  metaphysician,"  and  he  might 
have  added,  there  is  no  public  talk  so  insufferably  duQ 
as  metaphysical  preaching.  Studied  nonsense  in  ser- 
mons is  a  more  painful  afHiction  than  unstudied,  since 


228  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

*    ~%  *  » 

the  latter  has  at  least  the  mitigation  of  disgust  which 
usually  attends  an  extemporary  effusion. 

If  we  unite  the  solidity  of  Hooker  and  the  practical 
manner  of  Travers,  the  aggregate  would  be  much  like 
Witherspoon.  Our  renowned  countryman  was  a  kind 
of  theologico-democratic  compound ;  erudite  and  enthu- 
siastic, like  Augustine ;  bold  and  patriotic,  like  Brutus. 
While  in  the  President's  chair  at  Nassau  Hall,  he  shone 
pre-eminently  as  a  scholar  and  divine;  but  in  the  im- 
passioned gladiatorship  of  Congress,  the  spirit  of  the 
Tribune  predominated,  and  the  patriotic  priest  bore  no 
slight  resemblance  to  the  militant  prelate  of  the  middle 
ages,  who,  at  the  battle  of  Bouvines,  would  wield  no 
other  weapon  than  a  mace,  because  his  religion  forbade 
him  to  shed  blood,  and  who,  in  the  midst  of  the  conflict, 
blessed  with  one  hand  the  numerous  foes  whom  he 
crushed* with  the  other.  He  was  the  devout  cavalier 
of  Liberty  in  her  own  temple  of  legislation. 

It  is  not  to  be  understood,  however,  that  Dr.  Wither- 
spoon, or  his  distinguished  co-patriots  in  the  pulpit,  were 
religious  or  political  fanatics.  • .  When  a  clergyman 
transforms  himself  into  a  phrenzied  partizan,  the  dupe 
or  champion  of  a  local  faction,  he  renders  himself  the 
more  odious  in  contrast  with  the  exalted  profession  he 
has  disgraced.  This,  is  an  instinctive  feeling  of  the 
popular  heart,  and  it  is  just ;  for  what  crime  can  be 
greater  than  to  identify  the  things  of  earth  with  those  of 
heaven,  -the  illusions  of  time  with  the  imperishable 
things  of  eternity  ?  What  can  be  more  sacrilegious 
and  fatal  to  human  hopes  than  to  place  an  earthly  pas- 
sion or  human  interest  on  the  altar  by  the  side  of  Christ, 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76.  229 

Tf  *          '     ft    '- 

and  sometimes  even  in  Christ's  own  place?     But  the     , 
appropriate  functions  of  a  religious  teacher  do  not  forbid 
the  duties  of  a  patriot-.— they  imperiously  demand  them.  * 
God  designed  that  the  minister  of  the  Gospel  should  be  * 
the  man  of  the  people,  the  confidant  of  their  miseries, 
the  halm  of  their  secret  griefs,  the  depositary  of  their 
tears,  the  interpreter  of  their  necessities,  their  protector, 
friend  and  father,  a  living  providence  to  all  who  hunger 
and  thirst,  a  light  to  guide  the  benighted,  and  a  beacon 
to  warn  those  in  danger  of  destruction. 

It  would  be  unjust  to  pass  from  the  heroical  age  of 
pulpit  eloquence,  without  adverting  to  that  glorious  man 
of  God  whose  hallowed  influence  is  flooding  the  world 
with  ennobling  power,  John  Wesley.  Neither  should 
we  forget,  that  about  the  period  we  are  now  contem- 
plating, Whitefield's  glowing,  impassioned,  and  awful 
eloquence — his  incessant,  daring,  and  quenchless  en- 
thusiasm— produced  a  profound  and  extensive  impression 
on  all  classes  of  people  in  our  land.  But  these  allusions 
suggest  topics  quite  too  prolific  to  be  broached  fully  at 
present.  They  richly  -deserve  an  extended  article  by 
themselves. 

Before  concluding,  however,  it  wjjl  be  well  to  remark 
that,  all  things  considered,  perhaps,  the  finest  specimen 
of  a  captivating  and  profitable  American  preacher  in 
Revolutionary  times  was  the  Boston  pastor  already 
described,  Dr.  Stillman.  His  views  of  pulpit  ministra- 
tions were  elevated  and  comprehensive.  And  what 
are  they  but  to  unfold  the  doctrines  and  explain  the 
pure  and  sublime  morality  of  the  gospel,  illustrating  its 
tendency  and  diffusing  its  spirit — to  exalt  the  aim  of 


230  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

the  soul  and  direct  its  aspirations  toward  immortal 
worth, — to  proclaim  the  conditions  of  holy  faith  and 
enduring  joy,  exemplified  in  "  the  victorious  agonies  of 
saints  and  martyrs," — to  reveal'  that  glorious  and  dread- 
ful destiny  so  intimately-  connected  with  every  act  of 
life,  ascending  with  Milton  to  those  immortal  heights  of 
light,  love  and  glory  : 

• "  The  living  throne,  the  sapphire  blaze, 
Where  angels  tremble  while  they  gaze." 

In  efforts  to  do  this,  what  stores  of  wealth  are  there  m 
genius,  eloquence,  poetry,  profound  erudition,  and  sane* 
tified  embellishment,  that  may  not  be  judiciously  em- 
ployed ?  When  considered  simply  as  a  sphere  for 
intellectual  greatness  and  cultivation,  how  sublime  is 
the  station,  and, how  glorious  are  the  privileges  which  the 
Christian  minister  enjoys.  But  where  -are  the  zealous 
competitors  whose  chief  ambition  is  to  run  for  the  prize 
of  this  high  calling?  Where  are  the  men  whose  pas- 
sions are  educated  to  fortify  their  understanding,  and 
whose  rational  powers  are  penetrated  and  invested  with 
heavenly  grace,  as  the  Shekinah  burned  in  splendor 
ineffable,  over  and  asound  the  mercy-seat  ? 

The  most  effective  preachers  are  not  subtle  dialecti- 
cians, nor-  the  fastidious  retailers  of  bigotted  creeds. 
They  do  not  always  believe  that  it  is  indispensable  to 
"explain  upon  a  thing  till  all  men  doubt  it."  In  their 
estimation  it  is  desirable  occasionally  to  take  for  granted 
what  dubious  metaphysicians  and  astute  dogmatists  deem 
it  essential,  as  a  primary  step  in  all  discourse,  eternally  to 
prove.  Preachers  like  Stillman  will  make  a  better  use 


f ' 


THE    PATHIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76.  231 


of  their  powers.  They  will  feel  that  they  are  employed 
in  the  divinest  diplomacy  ;  and,  as  ambassadors  com- 
missioned from  heaven,  they  will  exert  every  faculty  in 
direct  negociation  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  That  is 
the  best  sermon  which  is  easiest  understood  and  longest 
remembered.  The  minister  must  be  well-educated,  but 
his  education  is  for  use  and  not  for  show.  Preachers 
of  the  right  stamp  remember  this  and  act  accordingly. 
With  the  concentrated  fires  of  an  intelligent,  enthusi- 
astic, and  ravishing  eloquence,  they  impress  transcend- 
ent worth  upon  the  hearer,  inflaming  him  with  a  passion 
for  moral  excellence,  and  imparting  to  him  a  vital  im- 
pulse which,  in  virtuous  habits  and  practical  godliness, 
is  perpetually  reproduced. 

The  magnificent,  equally  with  the  majestic,  is  a 
source  of  power  to  the  pulpit  orator.  Every  kingdom 
of  nature,  every  department  of  science,  ?fed  every 
production  of  art, — philosophical  research  and  patriotic 
disquisition, — whatever  history  has  bequeathed,  imagi- 
nation invented,  or  fancy  embellished, — may  be  appro- 
priately employed  in  the  foundation  of  the  prea'cher's 
work,  "or  as  blandishments  to  adorn  it.  His  audience 
yield  to  him  this  right  willingly,  and  rejoice  in  its'  exer- 
cise, never  more  happy  than  when  he  snatches  them 
"  from  Thebes  to  Athens,  when  and  where  he  will." 
To  hin>  at  the  head  of  all  speakers,  most  legitimately 
belong  the  richest  treasures  of  earth,  air,  and  sea,  the 
peculiar  tint  and  tone  of  each  clime,  the  mental  wealth 
of  each  nation,  and  the  accumulated  wonders  of  the 
whole  universe.  He  may  revel  in  "  gorgeous  Ind,"  with 
her  golden  skies  and  glittering  domes  ;  "  fanatic  Egypt 


232  ORATOBS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

and  her  priests^;"  the  waving  palms  and  wizard  glens 
of  the  South  ;  and  the  stern  superstitions  of  the  North, 
with  all  its  hills  of  snow  and  lucid  air,  "clad  in  the 
beauty  of  a  thousand  stars."  He  may  cull  gems  from 
coral  caverns,  pluck  flowers  from  sunny  fields,  and  robe 
himself  in  splendor  from  the  radiant  heavens ;  he  may 
lay  all  literature  under  contribution  to  illustrate  his 
theme,  array  all  worlds  around  him  as  the  theatre  of  his 
discussion,  and  summon  spirits  from  bliss,  and  devils 
damned,  to  verify  and  enforce  his  thought. 

Such  a  preacher  was  Stillman.  The  "  truth  came 
mended  from  hb  lips."  A  few  venerable  persons  yet 
survive  who  remember  his  august  and  imposing  action, 
— that  action  which  is  the  soul  of  thought.  Nothing 
ostentatious  in  the  mode  of  his  commencement  indicated 
premeditated  display  ;  all  was  sjmple  and  sublime.  His 
figure  wasfc  not  corpulent,  but  it  was  compact  and 
graceful  in  an  extraordinary  degree.  The  full  wig  and 
ample  robes  in  which  he  was  accustomed  to  preach 
added  to  the  nobleness  of  his  exterior,  while  an  air  of 
modesty  and  earnest  candor  augmented  the  force  of  his 
speech.  His  voice  was  sweet,  flexible,  and  sonorous, 
but  grave,  firm,  and  masculine.  His  gestures,  produced 
without  effort  or  affectation,  moved  simultaneously  with 
his  mind,  and  both  were  animated,  dignified,  and  per- 
suasive. He  occupied  the  same  pulpit  for  many,  years, 
under  the  scrutiny  of  a  vast  congregation,  all  of  whom 
found  it  difficult  to  decide  which  most  to  admire  in 
their  preacher,  his  exemplary  life,  or  his  unequalled 
eloquence  ;  the  soundness  of  his  doctrine,  or  the  graces 
(  of  his  delivery.  Whenever  his  elegant  form  and  ex- 


THE    PATRIOTIC    PIETY    OF    '76. 


233 


pressive  features  appeared  in  their  presence,  the  vivid- 
ness of  his  emotions  and  the  pungency  of  his  appeals 
served  to  remind  the  classical  hearer  of  that  ancient 
patriot  who  "  bore  the  republic  in  his  heart." 


il   yL  :  V 

* 

^•^rlw- 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PATRICK  HENRY, 

•  ,1 

THE  INCARNATION  OF  REVOLUTIONARY  ZEAL. 

IF  there  be  one  attribute  of  man  supreme  in  dignity 
and  worth  it  is  that  of  oratory.  The  illusions  of  the 
eye,  combined  with  the  enchanting  power  of  music, 
constitute  an  influence  less  potent  upon  the  imagination 
and  will,  than  the  spirit-stirring  appeals  of  "  eloquence 
divine."  Other  charms  are  mostly  drawn  from  the  ex- 
ternal world,  but  this  emanates  from  the  unseen  spirit 
within ;  its  splendors  gleam  through  animated  clay, 
and  proclaim  the  superior  majesty  of  immortal  mind. 

When  men  are  exhilarated  in  the  presence  of  excel- 
lence, when  they  are  gi'eatly  moved  by  the  power  of 
cultivated  speech,  the  imagination  is  more  susceptible  of 
receiving  agreeable  impressions,  and  the  mind  becomes 
insensibly  imbued  with  the  worth  it  in  rapture  admires. 

When  the  heart  and  fancy  are  thus  taken  captive  by 
those  sentiments  which  are  addressed  to  our  sensibilities, 
the  better  to  move  our  reason,  the  severe  rules  which 
we  impose  on  the  frigid  logician,  become  generously  ex- 
panded. The  orator  feels  no  longer  wounded  by  hyper- 
critical restraints ;  more  latitude  is  granted  for  the 
expansion  of  his  genius,  and  in  the  moment  of  fortunate 


PATIBJvDIK. 


PATRICK    HENRY. 

. 

daring,  he  creates  happy  emotions  in  others,  and  fore- 
tokens fame  for  himself. 

The  era  in  our  history,  now  under  consideration,  was 
exceedingly  favorable  for  the  cultivation  of  the  most, 
exalted  order  of  eloquence.  It  was  a  period  when  the 
public  mind  was  strongly  agitated  by  the  popular  dis- 
cussion of  interests,  the  most  comprehensive  and  en- 
during. 

The  war  of  1776  was  the  Trojan  war  of  America;  it 
diffused  one  impulse  over  our  whole  domain,  united  the 
Colonies  in  one  spirit  of  Resistance  against  oppression, 
and  bound  them  together  in  one  national  bond.  More- 
over, it  had  the  effect  of  the  Persian  war,  when  Miltiades 
led  the  flower  of  Greece  to  Marathon,  and  a  young,  but 
vigorous,  nation  could  successfully  compete  with  supe- 
rior numbers  and  veteran  skill.  The  different  sections 
of  the  country  vied  with  each  other  in  generous  compe- 
tition for  precedence  in  facing  a  common  foe,  feeling 
that  stern  conflicts  and  a  glorious  triumph  were  neces- 
sary to  give  them  all  a  consciousness  of  their  real 
strength. 

The  period  of  our  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  history 
was,  in  fact,  an  era  of  great  superiority  in  eloquence,  at 
home  and  abroad.  England  then  presented  an  arraj-  of 
orators  such  as  she  has  known  at  no  other  time.  In 
Westminster  Hall,  the  accomplished  Mansfield  was  con- 
stantly heard  in  support  of  kingly  power,  while  the  phi- 
losophic and  argumentative  Camden  exercised  his 
mighty  intellect  in  defence  of  popular  rights.  Burke 
had  awoke  with  all  his  wealth  of  fancy,  daring  imagina- 
tion and  comprehensive  learning.  Fox:  had  entered  the 


ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

arena  of  forensic  and  senatorial  gladiatorship,  with  his 
great,  glowing  heart,  and  titanic  passions,  all  kindled 
into  volcanic  heat.  Junius,  by  his  sarcasm  and  auda- 
city, stung  the  loftiest  circles  into  desperation.  Erskine 
embellished  the  darkened  heavens  by  the  rainbow  tints 
of  his  genius  ;  and  Chatham,  worthily  succeeded  by  his 
"  cloud-compelling"  son,  ruled  the  billowy  sea  of  excited 
mind  with  the  majesty  of  a  god. 

Against  all  that  is  powerful  in.  ifiental  energy  and 
martial  force,  our  fathers  had  to  give  battle  under  the 
most  fearful  odds.  The  chiralrous  antagonists  came 
into  open  field  ;  empires  were  at  stake,  and  the  struggle 
was  worthy  of  the  prize,  as  the  result  was  glorious  to 
those  whom  we  delight  to  commemorate. 

Eloquence  in  America  then  was  a  system  of  the  most 
invigorating  mental  gymnastics.  The  popular  orators 
hurled  accusations  and  arguments  into  the  bosom  of  the 
populace,,  and  aroused  universal  rebellion  against  regal 
wrongs.  Prominent  among  the  mightiest  of  the  "rebels," 
stood  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

The  ancients  set  up  statues  of  renowned  citizens  in 
the  most  public  resorts,  to  keep  passing  generations  in 
remembrance  of  the  worthies  whose  patriotism  and  piety 
they  ought  to  emulate.  Sometimes  filial  love  would 
prompt  admiring  disciples  to  bring  garlands,  not  with 
the  vain  hope  of  adding  to  the  intrinsic  worth,  or  ex- 
ternal elegance,  of  the  venerated  form,  but  simply  to 
wreathe  round  its  brow  a  token  of  fond  regard.  In  the 
present  instance,  our  ambition  "hath  this  extent,  no 
more."  We  do  not  herein  expect  to  elicit  any  new 
facts  in  the  life  af  Patrick  Henry,  but  shall  attempt  onhy 


PATRICK    HENRY.  237 

to  group,  as  comprehensively  as  possible,  some  of  our 
views  respecting  the  source  and  characteristics  of  his 
eloquence.  The  circumstances  relating  to  his  paren- 
tage", birth,  and  early  history,  have  been  carefully  com- 
piled by  his  biographer,  Wirt,  and  are  freely  copied  in 
the  historical  portion  of  the  following  sketch  : 

Patrick  Henry,  tbe  second  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
Henry,  and  one  of  nine  children,  was  born  on  the  29th 
of  May,  1736,  at  fhe  family  seat,  called  Studley,  in  the 
county  of  Hanover,  and  colony  of  Virginia.  In  his 
early  childhood  his  parents  removed  te  another -seat  in 
the  same  'county,  then  called  Mount  Brilliant,  now  the 
Retreat;  at  which  latter  place,  Patrick  Henry  was 
"  raised"  and  educated.  His  parents,  though  not  rich, 
were  in  easy  circumstances  ;  and,  in  point  of  personal 
character,  were  among  the  most  respectable  inhabitants 
of  the  colony. 

His  father,  Col.  John  Henry,  was  a  native  of  Aber- 
deen, in  Scotland.  He  was,  it  is  said,  a  first  cousin  to  Da- 
vid Henry,  who  was  the  brothe'r-in-law  and  successor  of 
Edward  Cave  in  the  publication  of  that  celebrated  work, 
the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  and  himself  the  author  of 
^evetal'  literary  tracts  :  John  Henry  is  also  said  to  have 
been  a  nephew,  in  the  maternal  line,  to  the  great  histo- 
rian, Dr.  William  Robertson.  He  Came  over  to  Virgi- 
nia, in  quest  of  fortune,  some  time  prior  to  the  year 
1730,  and  the  tradition  is  that  he  enjoyed  the  friendship 
of  Mr.  Dinwiddie,  afterward  the  governor  of  the  colony. 
By  this  gentleman,  it  is  reported,  that  he  was  introduced 
to  the  elder  Col.  Syme,  of  Hanover,  in  whose  family,  it 
is  certain,  that  he  became  domesticated  during  the  life 


238          ORATORS    OF    T«E    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 


of  that  gentleman,  after  whose  death  he  "intermarried" 
with  his  widow,  and  resided  on  the  estate  which  he  had 
left.  It  is  considered  as  a  fair  proof  of  the  personal 
merit  of  Mr.  John  Henry,  that,  in  those  days,  when  of- 
fices were  bestowed  with  peculiar  caution,  he  was  the 
colonel  of  his  regiment,  the  principal  surveyor  of  the 
county,  and,  for  many  years,  the  presiding  magistrate  of 
the  county  court.  His  surviving  acquaintances  concur 
in  stating  that  he  was  a  man  of  liberal  education  ;  that 
he  possessed  a  plain,  yet  solid  understanding ;  and  lived 
long  a  life-  of  the  most  irreproachable  integrity  and  exem- 
plary piety.  His  brother  Patrick,  a  clergyman  of  the 
Church  of  England,  followed  him  to  this  country  some 
years  afterward ;  and  became,  by  his  influence,  the 
minister  of  St.  Paul's  parish,  in  Hanover,  the  functions 
of  which  office  he  sustained  throughout  life  with  great 
respectability.  Both  the  brothers  were  zealous  mem- 
bers of  the  Established  Church,  and  warmly  attached  to 
the  reigning  family.  Col.  John  Henry  was  conspicu- 
ously so :  "  there  are  those  yet  alive,"  said  a  correspond- 
ent in  1805,  "who  have  seen  him  at  the  head  of  his 
regiment,  celebrating  the  birthday  of  George  III.  with  as 
much  euihusiam  as  his  son  Patrick  afterwards  displayed, 
in  resisting  the  encroachments  of  that  monarch.'' 

The  mother  of  this  "  forest-born  Demosthenes,"  was 
a  native  of  Hanover  County,  and  is  said  to  have  been 
eminently  endowed  with  amiability,  intelligence,  and 
the  fascinations  of  a  graceful  elocution.  She  had  a 
brother  who  was  one  of  the  most  effective  orators  of 
that  day. 

It  is  seldom,  or  never,  that  we  meet  with  a  man  dis- 


PATRICK    HENEY. 


tinguished  in  any  intellectual  pursuit  who  had  a  num- 
skull for  a  mother.  How  much  does  England  and  the 
world  owe  to  Alfred  ?  Liberty,  property,  Jaws,  litera- 
ture ;  all  that  makes  the  Anglo-Saxon  people  what  they 
are,  and  political  society  so  nearly  what  it  ought  to  be. 
And  who  made  Alfred  all  that  he  became  to  his  own  age, 
all  that  he  is  destined  perpetually  to  be  ?  She  who 
nursed  his  first  thought  and  moulded  his  regal  mind. 
"  The  words  which  his  mother  taught  him,"  the  lessons 
of  wisdom  she  instilled  into  his  aspiring  soul,  were  the 
ge,cms  of  thought,  genius,  enterprise,  action,  every  thing 
to  the  future  father  of  his  country. 

And  to  "  Mary,  the  mother  of  Washington,"  whose 
incomplete  monument  at  Fredericksburgh  lies  shame- 
fully neglected,  we  owe  all  the  mighty  debt  due  from 
mankind  to.  her  immortal  son.  He  has  himself  declared 
that  to  her  influence  and  early  instruction  lie  was  indebt- 
ed for  all  that  was  human  in  the  direction  of  his  fortunes. 

Curran's  mother  was,-  comparatively,  an  obscure 
woman,  but  one  of  strong  original  understanding  and 
glowing  enthusiasm. .  In  her  latter  years,  the  celebrity 
of  her  son  rendered  her  the  object  of  increased  atten- 
tion ;  and  critical  observers  could  easily  discover,  in  the 
irregular- bursts  of  her  eloquence,  the  primitive  gushings 
of  the  stream  which,  expanding  as  it  descended,  at  length 
attained  a  force  and  majesty  that  excited  unbounded 
admiration.  Mr.  Curran  himself  felt  his  indebtedness 
for  hereditary  talent.  Said  he,  "  the  only  inheritance 
that  I  could  boast  of  from  my  poor  father,  was  the  very 
scanty  one  of  an  unattractive  face  and  person,  like  his 
own  ;  and  if  the  world  has  ever  attributed  to  me  some- 


240          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

thing  more  valuable  than  face  or  person,  or  than  earthly 
wealth,  it  was  that  another  and  a  dearer  parent  gave  her 
child  a  portion  from  the  treasure  of  her  mind."  He  attrib- 
uted much  of  his  subsequent  success  to  the  early  influence 
of  such  a  mother,  and,  to  his  latest  hour,  would  dwell 
with  grateful  recollection  upon  the  wise  counsel,  upon 
the  lessons  of  honorable  ambition,  and  of  thorough  piety, 
which  she  enforced  upon  the .  minds  of  her  children. 
The  mother  of -the  Schlegels  is  said  t"6  have  contributed 
greatly  to  form  the  character  of  her  accomplished  sons. 
We  know  that  Canning,  and  Brougham,  and  Guizot,  are 
indebted  mainly  4o  the  same  source  of  success. 

The  Scotch  "  gumption,"  and  Virginia  ardor,  inherited 
from  his  parents,  and  so  finely  blended  in  his-  own  men- 
tal organization,  constituted  a  richer  patrimony  for 
Patrick  Henry,  than  all  the  splendors  of  remote  pedigree 
and  ancestral  fame. 

The  basis  of  Mr.  Henry's  character  was  acute  com- 
mon sense.  His  insight  into  the  workings  of  human 
nature  was  early  exercised  to  an  extraordinary  degree. 
In  the  common  acceptation  of  the  word,  he  was  not 
educated  ;  like  Shakspeare,  according  to  Ben  Jonson, 
he  "knew  little  Latin  and  less  Greek."  But  in  the  best 
sense  of  the  term,  he  was  superlatively  disciplined  for 
the  mission  he  was  destined  to  fulfil.  His  principal 
book  was  the  great  volume  of  human  nature.  In  this 
he  was  deeply  read  ;  and  hence  arose  his  great  power 
of  persuasion.  The  habit  of  critical  observation  formed 
in  early  youth  went  with  him  through  life.  Meeting,  in 
a  bookstore,  with  his  friend  Ralph  Wormley,  who,  al- 
though a  great  book-worm,  was  infinitely  more  remark- 


PATRICK    HENRY.  241 

able  for  his  ignorance  of  men  than  Mr.  Henry  was  for 
that  of  books — "  What,  Mr.  Wormley,"  said  he,  "  still 
buying  books  ?"  "  Yes,"  said  Mr.  Wormley,  "  I  have 
just  heard  of  a  new  work,  which  I  am  extremely  anx- 
ious to  peruse."  "  Take  my  word  for  it,"  said  he,  "  Mr. 
Wormley,  we  are  too  old  to  read  books ;  read  men — they 
are  the  only  volumes  that  we  can  peruse  to  advantage." 
But  Mr.  Henry  neglected  neither.  From  his  earliest 
youth  he  studied  both  with  care,  though  his  education 
was  desultory  in  the  extreme.  As  early  as  most  boys 
he  had  learned  to  read,  write,  and  perform  the  ordinary 
tasks  in  arithmetic.  At  ten  years  of  age  he  was  taken 
home,  and  under  the  instruction  of  his  father  learned 
the  elements  of  Latin  and  Greek. 

Men  of  rare  genius  are  generally  fond  of  the  ex- 
tremes of  existence — profound  solitude  or  boisterous 
glee.  Such  was  the  ease  with  Henry.  While  yet  a 
youth,  he  would  spend  protracted  seasons  in  silent 
meditation,  and  then  with  frenzied  zeal  would  abruptly 
plunge  into  the  greatest  hilarity.  He  was  much  ad- 
dicted to  field  sports,  but  these  were  employed  as  the 
occasions  ofc  mental  discipline,  rather  than  for  purposes 
of  dissipation.  He  was  habitually  frugal,  though  con- 
stitutionally sanguine  and  impetuous.  If  he  freely  used 
the  Bangle  and  the  gun  for  pastime,  he  assiduously  pon- 
dered some  great  theme,  or  deduced  an  argument  while 
a  superficial  observer  would  scarcely  have  supposed  him 
to  be  at  the  same  time  employed  in  pursuits  so  widely 
diversified.  His  violin,  his  flute,  a  few  favorite  books, 
habitual  and  critical  study  of  mankind,  frequent  ramb- 
lings  in  the  wild  woods,  and  profound  meditations  by 
1] 


242  ORATOES    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

flowing  streams,  occupied  the  early  years  of  his  youth. 
The  only  science  he  loved  was  mathematics,  and  the 
book  he  most  read,  among  uninspired  authors,  was  a 
translation  of  "the  pictured  Livy."  With  respect  to 
reading,  his  motto  seems  to  have  been,  "  much,  but  not 
many."  He  might  have  'adopted  Hobbes's  opinion,  "  that* 
if  he'had  read  as  much  as  other  men,  he  should  have 
been  as  ignorant  as  they  were."  But  the  books  he  did 
peruse,  he  digested  thoroughly.  He  was  not  a  thing 
made  up  of  fragments, — he  was  himself,  a  man  self-de- 
veloped,— he  thought  more  than  he  read. 

By  this  kind  of  severe  self-tuition  amid  the  beauties 
and  Sublimities  of  nature,  he  cultivated  a  flexile  majesty,* 
a  natural  grandeur  of  soul.  It  was  not  the  artificial 
groves  of  the  Academy,  the  polished  pavements  of  the 
Portico,  nor  Grecian  steeds  constrained  with  bit  and 
curb,  that  listened  to  the  harp  of  Orpheus,  but  the  wild 
trees  of  unfrequented  haunts,  the  rocks  of  deserts  un- 
adorned, and  the  untamed  tigers  of  the  wood. 

When  fifteen  years  old,  Mr.  Henry  was  placed  behind 
the  counter  of  a  country  store ;  but  the  hands  destined 
.to  forge  thunderbolts,  were  unskillful  in  measuring  tape 
and  hoarding  worldly  gains.  Pegasus  chafed  in  the 
contracted  sphere,  and  struggled  for  escape.  By  en- 
larging the  domain  of  more  exalted  excursions-,  however, 
he  ruined  the  petty  profits  of  the  shop.  At  the  early 
age  of  eighteen,  he  was  married.  This  apparently  in- 
discreet  act  was  probably  an  advantage  in  fact.  It  fur- 
nished him  a  secluded  home  of  his  own,  a  solace  in 
pecuniary  trials,  and  a  restraint  on  vicious  indulgence. 
Thus,  in  lonely  studies,  healthful  toils  and  domestic  joys, 


PATRICK    HENKY.  243 

he  cultivated  in  deep  obscurity  the  giant  faculties  of  his 
soul. 

"  There  have  been  those  that  from  the  deepest  caves 
And  cells  of  night,  and  fastnesses,  below 
The  stormy  dashing  of  the  ocean-waves, 
Down,  farther  down  than  gold  lies  hid,  have  nursed 
A  quenchless  hope,  and  watch'd  their  time,  and  burst 
On  the  bright  day,  like  wakeners  from  their  graves !" 

Fortunately  for  our  hero,  he  was  endowed  with  a  fine 
flow  of  elastic  spirits ;  with  a  noble  fortitude  he  braced 
himself  boldly  against  every  disaster  of  life.  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson made  his  acquaintance  in*  the  winter  of  1759-60, 
and  has  left  us  the  following  impressions  respecting 
him  "On  nay  way  to  the  college,  I  passed  the  Christ- 
mas holydays  at  Col.  Dandridge's  in  Hanover,  to  whom 
Mr.  Henry  was  a  near  neighbor.  During  the  festivity 
of  the  season,  I  met  him  in  society  every  day,  and  we 
became  well  acquainted,  although  I  was  much  his  ju- 
nior, being  then  in  my- seventeenth  year,  and  he  a  mar- 
ried man.  His  manners  had  something  of  coarseness  in 
them  ;  his  passion  was  music,  dancing,  and  pleasantry. 
He  excelled  in  the  last,  and  it  attached  every  one  to- 
him.  He  had,  a  Httle  before,  broken  up  his  store,  or 
rather  it  had  broken  him  up;  but  his  misfortunes  were 
not  to  be  traced  either  in  his  countenance  or  conduct." 
Says  another  cotemporary,  "  He  would  be  pleased  and 
cheerml  with  persons  of  any  class  or  condition,  vicious 
and  abandoned  persons  only  excepted ;  he  preferred 
those  -of  character  and  talents,  but  would  be  amused 
with  any  who  could  contribute  to  his  amusement."  Ha- 
bitual cheerfulness  is  doubtless  a  mighty  auxiliary  to  the 


244          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

mind,  and  happy  is  he  who  can  rise  above  lowering 
storms  and  say, 

"  I  will  dash  these  fond  regrets  to  earth, 
E'en  as  an  eagle  shakes  the  cumbering  rain 
From  his  strong  pinion." 

4 

After  a  six  weeks'  preparation,  he  obtained  a  license 
to  practice  the  law,  being  then  twenty-four  years  of  age, 
and  almost  entirely  ignorant  of  the  simplest  forms  of  the 
profession  ,he  had  embraced.  For  these  facts  we  are 
also  indebted  to  Mr.  Jefferson.  In  the  spring  of  1760, 
he  says,  Mr.  Henry  "-came  to  Williamsburg  to  obtain 
a  license  as  a  lawyer,  and  he  called  on  me  at  college. 
He  told  me  he,  had  been  reading  law  only  six  weeJss, 
Two  of  the  examiners,  however,  Peyton  and  John  Ran- 
dolph^ men  of  great  facility  of  temper,  signed  his  license 
with  as  much  reluctance  as  their  dispositions  would 
permit  them  to  show.  Mr.  Wythe  absolutely  refused, 
Robert  £L  Nicholas  refused  also  at  first;  but  on  repeated 
importunitijes  and  promises  of  future  reading,  he  signed. 
These  facts  I  had  afterwards  from  the  gentlemen  them- 
selves ;  the  two  Randolphs  acknowledging  he  was  very 
ignorant  ofthe  law,  but  that  they  perceived  him  to  be  a 
young  man  of  genius,  and  did  not  doubj  that  he  would 
soon  qualify  himself." 

Henry  was  one  of  those  who  are  "  victory  organized," 
and  will  ever  "  find  a  war,  or  make  one."  The  same  rule 
applies  to  all  such,  that  was  announced  to  the  Directory 
by  the  principal  in  command,  when  young  Napoleon 
first  began  to  display  his  astonishing  power, — "  Promote 
this  young  man  or  he  will  promote  himself." 


PATIUCK    HENRY.  245 

For  some  tifne  he  was  entirely  unnoticed,  but  in  his 
famous  speech  in  the  parson's  cause,  he  at  length  began 
to  engross  public  attention.  As  .counsel  for  Mr,  Dan- 
dridge.  in  a  contested  election,  he  made  a  brilliant 
harangue  on  the  rights  of  suffrage.  Such  a  burst  of 
eloquence  from  so  plain  and  humble  a  man,  struck  the 
popular  mind  with  amazement,  and  at  once  made  the 
speaker  an  object  of  universal  respect.  The  incident  is 
described  as  follows,  from  the  pen  of  Judge  Tyler.  It 
was  the  young  advocate's  first  appearance  in  the  digni- 
fied and  refined  society  at  Williamsburg,  then  the  seat 
»f  lordly  arrogance  and  colonial  power.  "  The  proud 
airs  of  aristocracy,  added  to  the  dignified  forms  of  that 
truly  august  body,  were  enough  to  have  deterred  any 
man  possessing  less  firmness  and  independence  of  spirit 
than  Mr.  Henry.  He  was  ushered  with  great  state  and 
ceremony  into  the  room  of  the  committee,  whose  chair- 
man was  Col.  Bland.  Mr.  Henry  was  dressed  in  very 
coarse  apparel ;  no  one  knew  any  thing  of  him ;  and 
scarcely  was  he  treated  with  decent  respect  by  any  one 
except  the  chairman,  who  could  not  do  so  much  vio- 
lence to  his  feelings  and  principles,  as  to  depart,  on  any 
occasion,  from  the  delicacy  of  the  gentleman.  But  the 
general  contempt  was  soon  changed  into  as  general  ad- 
miration ;  for  Mr.  Henry  distinguished  himself  by  a 
copious  and  brilliant  display  on  the  great  subject  of  the 
rights  of  suffrage,  superior  to  any  thing  that  had  been 
heard  before  within  those  walls.  It  struck  the  commit- 
tee with  amazement,  so  that  a  deep  and.  perfect  silence 
took. place  during  the  speech,  and  not  a  sound  but  from 
his  lips  was  to  be  heard  in  the  room." 


246  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

Let  us  at  this  point  dwell  a  little  on  His  personal  ap- 
pearance and  modes  of  address. 

hi  his  youth,  Mr.  Henry  was  exceedingly  indifferent 
to  both  costume  and  style,  but  as  he  rose  in  experience 
and  influence,  he  became  more  refined.  Through  all 
vicissitudes,  however,  his  personal  appearance  was  won- 
derfully impressive.  He  was  nearly  six  feet  high  ;  spare 
and  raw-boned,  with  a  slight  stoop  of  his  shoulders.  His 
complexion  was  dark  and  sallow ;  his  natural  expression 
grave,  thoughtful  and  penetrating.  He  was  gifted  with 
a  strong  and  musical  voice,  often  rendered  doubly  fasci- 
nating by  the  mild  splendors  of  his  brilliant  blue  eyes. 
When  animated,  he  spoke  with  the  greatest  variety  of 
manner  and  tone.  It  was  necessary  to  involve  him  in 
some  great  emergency  in  order  to  arouse  his  more  ster- 
ling qualities  and  then  to  the  surprise  of  himself  as 
well  as  every  body  else,  he  would  in  the  most  splendid 
manner  develop, 

"  A  treasure  all  undreampt  of : — as  the  night 
Calls  out  the  harmonies  of  streams  that  roll 
Unheard  by  day." 

Gleams  of  passion  interpenetrating  the  masses  of  his 
logic,  rendered  him  a  spectacle  of  delight  to  the  friendly 
spectator,  or  of  dread  to  his  antagonist.  He  was  care- 
less in  dress,  and  sometimes  intentionally  and  extrava- 
gantly awkward  in  movement;  but  always,  like  the 
phosphorescent  stone  at  Bologna,  he  was  less  rude  than 
glowing.  He  could  be  vehement,  insinuating,  humor- 
ous, and  sarcastic  by  turns,  and  to  every  sort  of  style  he 
gave  the  highest  effect.  He  was  an  orator  by  nature, 


PATRICK    HEN,RY.  247 

and  of  the  highest  class,  combining  all  those  traits  of 
figure  and  intellect,  action  and  utterance  which  have  in- 
dissolubly  linked  his  brilliant  name  with,  the  history  of 
his  country's  emancipation. 

The  true  orator  is  not  the  actor  of  his  subject,  but  its 
organ.  Wiih  him  who  has  something  to  say,  under 
the  importance  of  which  he  trembles,  and  is  anx- 
ious to  disburden  his  soul  in  the  most  direct  and  forcible 
manner,  there  will  be  no  hollow  wordiness,  no  gaudy 
decoration,  no  rhetorical  sophisms,  but  a  profound  and 
manifest  feeling  of  truth  and  .honesty  will  gleam  all  over 
the  speaker's  person  and  fork  the  lightnings  of  his  elo- 
quence. The  inspiration  will  be  profound,  the  thought 
will  be  lucid,  and  the  action  natural ;  looks,  gestures, 
and  tones  will  be  such 

"  As  skill  and  graceful  nature  might  suggest 
To  a  proficient  of  the  tragic  muse." 

The  etherial  -splendors  which  burned  through  Patrick 
Henry's  words,  were  not  elaborated,  spark  by  spark,  in 
the  laboratory  of  pedantic  cloisters.  It  was  in  the  open 
fields,  under  the  wide  cope  of  heaven,  full  of  free,  health- 
ful and  livid  atmosphere,  this  oratorical  Franklin  caught 
his  lightnings  from  gathering  storms  as  they  passed  over 
him ;  and  he  communicated  his  charged  soul  with  elec- 
trical swiftness  and  effect.  He  was  the  incarnation  of 
Revolutionary  zeal.  He  had  absorbed  into  his  suscep- 
tible nature  the  mighty  inspiration  which  breathed 
throughout  the  newly  awakened  and  arousing  world. 
He  tempered  and  retempered  his  soul  in  boiling  preme- 
ditations against  tyranny,  as  the  cutler  tempers-  a  sword 


248  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

by  plunging  it  into  water  while  yet  red  hot  from  the  fur- 
nace. The  popular  orator  must  be  lucid  if  he  would  be 
influential.  He  must  not  be  a  metaphysician,  an  anti- 
quarian, nor  a  pedant, 

"Plunged  to  the  hilt  in  musty  tomes  and  rusted  in." 

He  cannot  have  too  much  learning ;  but  he  must  show 
the  edifice  and  not  the  scaffolding ;  or  rather,  he  must 
show  nothing,  but  let  all  be  seen  without  effort.  He 
may  possess  subtle  schemes  and  recondite  erudition,  but 
these  must  be  dragged  from  their  obscurity  into  a  full 
blaze  of  light.  He  may  be  skilful  in  fine  theories  and 
cumbered  with  much  learning,  but  they  must  be  rendered 
plain  and  prominent  to  common  sense,  or  they  have  no 
claims  to  the  honors  of  eloquence.  That  which  cannot 
be  invested  with  a  blaze  of  imagination  and  made  pal- 
pable to  the  public  gaze,  is  not  a  fit  subject  for  the  ora- 
tor. It  is  not  meant  by  this  that  in  order  to  be  com- 
prehended by  the  general  mind  one  must  be  superficial ; 
on  the  contrary,  nothing  so  soon  palls  on  the  popular 
taste  as  shallowness,  and  nothing  so  soon  disgusts  as  flip- 
pant uniformity.  Affectation  and  common-place  are  as 
loathsome  to  the  masses  as  to  the  most  refined  indivi- 
duals ;  and  nothing  will  long  interest  them  but  deep 
thought  in  clear  expression,  a  compound  of  untamable 
vigor,  and  daring  originality.  Assembled  multitudes 
are  enthralled  by  a  style  that  is  rich  in  meaning,  vivid 
in  color,  and  varied  in  tone  ;  its  combinations  must  be 
bold,  unexpected,  clearly  significant,  pertinent  to  the 
topic  in  hand,  and  powerfully  directed  to  one  great  end. 
Mr.  Henry's  knowledge  of  legal  science  was  quite 


PATRICK    HENRY.  249 

limited,  but  his  great  natural  sagacity  enabled  him  to 
make  the  most  successful  use  of  such  resources  as  he 
possessed.  His  great  forte  lay  in  arguing  questions  of 
common  law,  or  in  the  defence  of  criminals  before  a 
jury.  "  There,  his  intimate  knowledge  of  human  naT 
ture,  and  the  rapidity  as  well  as  justness  of  his  infe- 
rences, as  to  what  was  passing  in  the  hearts  of  his 
hearers,  availed  him  fully.  The  jury  might  be  com- 
posed of  entire  strangers,  yet  he  rarely  failed  to  know 
them,  man  by  man,  before  the  evidence  was  closed. 
There  was  no  studied  fixture  of  features  that  could  long 
hide  the  character  from  his  piercing  and  experienced 
view.  The  slightest  unguarded  turn  of  countenance  or 
motion  of  the  eye  let  him.. at  once  into  the  soul  of  the 
man  whom  he  was  observing.  Or,  if  lie  doubted  whe- 
*her  his  conclusions  were  correct  from  the  exhibitions 
of  countenance  during  the  narration  of  evidence,  he 
had  a  mode  of  playing  a  prelude,  as  it  were,  upon  the 
jury,  in  his  exordium,  which  »ever  failed  to  "  wake  into 
life  each  silent  string,"  and  show  him  the  whole  com- 
pass as  well  as  pitch  of  the  instrument;  and,  indeed,  (if 
we  may  believe  all  the  concurrent  accounts  of  his  exhibi- 
tions in  the  general  court,)  the  most  exquisite  performer 
that  ever  "swept  the  sounding  lyre,"  had  not  a  more 
sovereign  mastery  over  its  powers  than  Mr.  Henry  had 
over  the  springs  of  feeling  and  thought  that  belong  to  a 
jury.  There  was  a  delicacy,  a  tact,  a  felicity  in  the 
touch  that  was  perfectly  original,  and  without  a  rival. 
His  style  of  address,  on  these  occasions,  is  said  to  have 
resembled  very  much  that  of  the  Scriptures.  It  was 
strongly  marked  with  the  same  simplicity,  the  same 
11* 


250         ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

energy,  the  same  pathos.  He  sounded  no  alarm ;  he 
made  no  parade  to  put  the  jury  oh  their  guard.  It  was 
all  so  natural,  so  humble,  so  unassuming,  tha't  they  were 
carried  imperceptibly  along,  and  attuned  to  bis  purpose, 
until  some  master-touch  dissolved  them  into  tears.  His 
language  of  passion  was  perfect.  There  was  no  word 
"  of  learned  length  or  thundering  s"ound,"  to  break  the 
charm.  It  had  almost  all  the  stillness  of  solitary'thinlt- 
ing.  It  was  a  sweet  reverie,  a  delicious  trance.  His 
voice,  too,  had  a  wonderful  effect.  He  had  a  singular 
power  of  infusing  it  into  a  jury  and  mixing  its  tones 
with  their  nerves  in  a  manner  which  it  is  impossible  to 
describe  justly ;  but  which  produced  a  thrilling  excite- 
ment in  the  happiest  concordance  with  his  designs.  No 
man  knew  so  well  as  he  did  what  kind  of  topics  to  urge 
to  their  understandings,  nor  what  kind  of  simple  imagery 
to  present  to  thoir  hearts.  His  eye,  which  he  kept 
riveted  upon  them,  assisted  the  process  of  fascination, 
and  at  the  same  time  informed  him  what  theme  to 
press,  or  at  what  instant  to  retreat,  if  by  rare  accident  he 
touched  an  unpropitious  string.  And  then  he  had  such 
an  exuberance  of  appropriate  thoughts,  of  apt  illustra- 
tions, of  apposite  images,  and  such  a  melodious  and  va- 
ried roll  of  the  happiest  words,  that  the  hearer  was 
never  wearied  by  repetition,  and  never  winced  from 
an  apprehension  that  the  "intellectual  treasures  of  the 
speaker  would  be  exhausted."* 

Henry  exercised  tremendous  power  over  the  people, 
because  he  was  one  of  them— had  studied  their  cha- 

*  This  outline,  drawn  by  Mr.  Wirt,  is  a  fine  sketch  of  his  own  won- 
derful abilities,  as  well  as  those  of  his  admired  predecessor  at  the  bar. 


»  PATRICK    HENRY.  251 

racter — was-  familiar  with  their  habits  of  thought  and 
action — had  gained  their  confidence,  and  could  con- 
ciliate their  prejudice.  He  was  skillful  to  ingratiate  the 
affections  of  the  popular  heart,  and  could  impel  the  con- 
victions of  all,  before  the  current  of  his  declamation  and 
the  fervor  of  his  appeals.  He  smote  right  and  left,  like 
an  invincible  warrior  armed  with  broadsword,  hewing 
his  way  through  opposing  legions.  Action  was  his  forte 
rather  than  meditation.  He  was  not  adroit  in  fortifying 
a  case  with  obscure  precedents  and  subtle  distinctions. 
He  was  little  accustomed  to  hunt  a  principle  through 
the  musty  alcoves  of  black-Jetter  libraries ;  but  hjs  moral 
instincts  were  acute,  his  sense  of  justice  as  infallible  as 
in  the  best  of  men,  and  the  logic  of  his  passionate  soul 
commanded  respeot,  if  not  conviction.  Like  Indian 
rubies  of  the  finest  water,  he  required  no  polish ;  his 
soul  glowed  with  its  own  fire,  and  emitted  a  brilliancy 
that  was  native  to  the  quarry.  But  the  field  of  conflict, 
and  not  the  quiet  study,  was  his  appropriate  sphere ;  he 
was  most  splendid  when  in  arms  and  involved  in  furious 
fight.  Whenever  his  extraordinary  faculties  were 
aroused,  he  is  reported  by  his  cotemporaries  to  have 
been  exceedingly  fascinating.  Judge  Lyons  said  "  that 
he  cquld  write  a.  letter,  or  draw  a  declaration  or  plea,  at 
the  bar,  with  as  much  accuracy  as  he  could  in  his  office, 
under  all  circumstances,  except  when  Patrick  rose  to 
speak  ;  but  whenever  he  rose,  although  it  might  be  on 
so  trifling  a  subject  as  a  sumnjons  and  petition  for 
twenty  shillings,  he  was  obliged  to  lay  down  his  pen,  and 
could  not  write  another  word  until  the  speech  was 
finished." 


252          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

On  the  contrary,  the  most  distracting  dangers  of  a 
tumultuous  scene  could  not  disturb  the  self-possession  of 
Mr.  Henry,  nor  shake  the  steadfastness  of  his  purpose. 
It  might  have  been  truly  said  of  him,  "Half  his  strength 
he  puts  not  forth,  but  stays  his  thunders  in  mid-volley/' 
So  firm  and  imperial  was  the  control  of  his  mind,  that 
at  any  instant  he  could  arrest  the  torrent  of  his  fury, 
and,  by  a  sudden  change  in  its  direction,  overtake  and 
scathe  his  foe.  An  exemplification  of  this  will  soon  be 
quoted.  In  boldness  of  manner,  and  habitual  self-com- 
mand, that  spirit  of  daring  and  confident  reliance  on  in- 
ternal resources  which  always  commands  attention  "and 
respect,  our  hero  resembled  Lord'Chatham.  It  is  related 
of  the  latter,  that  once  in  the  House  of  Commons  he 
began  a  speech  with  the  words,  "  Sugar,  Mr.  Speaker," 
— and  then,  observing  a  smile  to  pervade  the  audience, 
he  paused,  looked  fiercely  around,  and  with  a  loud  voice, 
rising  in  its  notes,  and  swelling  into  vehement  anger, 
he  pronounced  again  the  word  "sugar"  three  times! 
and  hav-ing  thus  quelled  the  House,  and  extinguished 
every  trace  of  laughter,  turned  round  and  scornfully  in 
quired,  "  Who  will  laugh  at  sugar  now  ?" 

After  Mr.  Henry's  death,.there  was  found  among  his 
paper's  one  sealed,  and  endorsed  as  follows,  in  his  own 
hand- writing :  "  The  within  resolutions  passed  the  House 
of  Burgesses  in  May,  J765.  They  formed  the  first  op- 
position to  the  Stamp- Act,  and  the  scheme  of  taxing 
America  by  "the  British  Parliament.  All  the  Colonies, 
either  through  fear,  or  want  of  opportunity  to  form  an 
opposition,  or  from  influence  of  some  kind  or  other,  had 
remained  silent.  I  had  been,  for  the  first  time,  elected 


PATRICK    HENRY.  253 

a  burgess  a  few  days  before,  was  young,  inexperienced, 
unacquainted  with  the  forms  of  the  House,  and  the 
members  that  composed  it.  Finding  the  men  of  weight 
opposed  to  the  apposition,  and  the  commencement  of 
the  lax  at  hand,  and  that  no  person  was  likely  to  step 
forth,  I  determined  to  venture;  and  alone,  unadvised, 
and  unassisted,  on  the  blank  leaf  of  an  old  law  book, 
wrote  the  within.  Upon  offering  them  to-  the  House 
violent  debates  ensued.  Many  threats  were  uttered, 
and  much  abuse  cast  on  me  by  the  party  for  submission. 
After  a  long  and  warm  contest,  the  resolutions  passed 
by  a  very  small  majority,  perhaps  of  one  or  two  only. 
The  alarm  spread  throughout  America  with  astonishing 
quickness,  .and  the  ministerial  party  were  overwhelmed. 
The  great  point  of  resistance  to  British  taxation  was 
universally  established  in  the  Colonies.  This  brought 
on  the  war,  which  finally  separated  the  two  countries, 
and  gave  independence  to  ours.  Whether  this  will 
prove  -a  blessing  or  a  curse  will  depend  upon  the  use 
our  people  make  of  the  blessings  which  a  gracious  God 
hath  bestowed  on  us.  If  they  are  wise  they  will  be 
great  and  happy.  If  they  are  of  a  contrary  character, 
they  will  be  miserable.  Righteousness  alone  can  exalt 
them  as  a  nation.  Reader,  whosoever  thou  art,  remem- 
ber this ;  and  in  thy  sphere  practice  virtue  thyself,  and 
encourage  it  in  others. 

"P.  HENRY." 

The  speech  made  by  James  Otis,  in  Boston,  against 
"  Writs  of  Assistance"  made  John  Adams  the  orator. 
The  eloquence  of  Patrick  Henry,  in  the  Colonial  As- 


254          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

sembly,  at  Williamsburg,  May,  1765,  created  another 
college  student,  Thomas  Jefferson,  the  patriot.  This 
great  statesman  was-young  when  the  orator,  whom  he 
styled  "  the  magnificent  child  of  nature,''  first  appeared 
in  public  with  his  famous  resolutions  against  the  Stamp- 
Act,  referred  to  in  his  own  record  just  quoted.  "  The 
debate,"  t<5  use  Jefferson's  strong  language,  "  was  most 
bloody,"  but  torrents  of  indomitable  eloquence  from 
Henry -prevailed,  and  the  resolutions  were  carried. 

Incidents  which  occurred  during  this  famous  debate 
indicated  new  features  in  Mr.  Henry'a  oratorical  cha- 
racter. A  remarkable  instance  proved  that  his  power  of 
self-control  was  as  great  as  that  of  his  habitual  impetu- 
osity. As  a  courser  of  high  mettle  and  pure  blood 
suddenly  reined  in,  stands  on  his  haunches  with  every 
nerve  trembling,  so  he  could  arrest  the  impetuous  course 
of  his  eloquence,  and  turn  in  a  moment  to  reply  to  any 
pertinent  or  impertinent  interruption.  The  following 
illustration  of  this  point  is  preserved  to  us  by  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson. "  I  well  remember  the  cry  of  'treason'  by  the 
speaker,  echoed  from  every  part  of  the  House,  against 
Mr.  Henry.  I  well  remember  his  pause,  and  the  admi- 
rable address  with  which  he  recovered  himself,  and  baf- 
fled the  charge  thus  vociferated."  The  allusion  here  is 
to  that  memorable  exclamation  of  Mr.  Henry  :  "  Caesar 
had  his  Brutus,  Charles  I.  his  Cromwell,  and  George  III. 
— "Treason,"  cried  the  speaker,  "treason!  treason!" 
echoed  the  House — "may  profit  by  the  example," 
promptly  replied  the  orator,  "  if  this  be  'treason,  make 
the  most  of  it. 

It  seems  to  be  a  fundamental-  law,  that  moral  courage 


* 

PATRICK    HENRY.  255 

should  constitute  the  true  basis  of  oratorical  success  as 
well  as  personal  honor.  "  No  slave  can  be  eloquent," 
says  Longinus,  and  all  literary  history  shows  that  the 
highest  attainments  can  be  secured  only  by  the  union  of 
the  most  unshackled  and  uncorrupted  qualities  of  head 
and  heart.  To  think,  vigorously  and  fearlessly  to  say 
what  you  think,  is  the  only  way  to  be  effective  in  the 
use  of  speech.  The  faculty  of  profound  and  penetrating 
thought  was  a  distinguished  feature  in  Henry's  mental 
character,  end  the  boldness  with  which  he  expressed  his 
opinions  at  the  hazard  of  personal  convenience  was  „ 
equally  remarkable.  Exalted  sentiment  was  the  inform- 
ing soul  which  invested  his  person  with  an  imposing 
grandeur  ;  but  the  nobleness  of  his  mien  was  enhanced 
by  the  perfect  independence  with  which  he  employed 
his  resources  in  defence  of  whatever  he  deemed  essential 
to  individual  integrity  or  tlie  public  weal.  His  mind 
was  ardent,  and  prolific  of  illustrations  ;  it  threw  off  a 
profusion  ®f  beauties  in  its  progress  as  naturally  as  a 
current  of  molten  iron  glows  and  sparkles  as  it  issues 
from  the  furnace.  His  eloquent  soul  was  one  of  that 
elevated  class  that  revels  in  the  luxuriance  of  splendid 
imagery,  in  every  succeeding  sentence  changing  its  hue 
and  form  with  Protean  facility,  throwing  out  something 
original  at  each  remove,  and  generally  terminating  the 
chain  with  a  link  more  magnificent  than  all  the  rest. 

Jefferson  was  present  during  the  whole  of  the  occa- 
sion alluded  to  above.  He  stood  in  the  door  of  com- 
munication between  the  House  and  the  lobby,  where  he 
heard  the  whole  of  the  violent  discussion.  Like  the  boy, 
John  Adams,  he  thenceforth  consecrated  himself  to  the 
12 


256  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

service  of  his  country.  Scipio  Africanus,  while  yet  in 
his  early  youth,  stood  one  day  on  a  hill  near  Carthage, 
and  looked  down  on  a  terrific  battle-field  where  those 
veterans,  Massanissa  and  Hamilcar,  crushed  through 
opposing  legions  in  the  tug  of  war.  This  chance  view 
gave  direction  to  his  life.  But  Adams  and  Jefferson,  in 
the  presence  of  Otis  and  Henry,  were  inspired  with 
loftier  impulses,  and  for  nobler  ends. 

On  the  fourth  of  September,  1774,  the  old  Continental 
Congress  of  the  United  States  met,  for  the  first  time,  at 
Carpenter's  Hall,  Philadelphia.  It  is  not  our  intention 
to  dwell  here  on  the  wonderful  effect  produced  by  Mr. 
Henry's  eloquence  in  that  body  in  the  opening  of  its 
solemn  session.  Neither  at  present  do  we  more  than 
simply  allude  to  his  still  more  extraordinary  speech  made 
in  the  convention  of  delegates  which  assembled  on  the 
20th  of  March,  1775,  in  the  old  -church  at  Richmond, 
Virginia. 

Those  were  scenes  of  stupendous  interest  which  have 
already  been  sketched  in  the  opening  chapter  on  The 
Battle-Fields  of  Early ^  American  Eloquence.  It  will 
be  appropriate,  however,  in  this  place,  to  quote  a  por- 
tion of  the  Richmond  speech,  as  a  distinguished  specimen 
of  his  style. 

"  He  had,"  he  said,  "  but  one  lamp  by  which  his  feet 
were  guided ;  and  fhat  was  the  lamp  of  experience. 
He  knew  of  no  way  of  judging  of  the  future,  but  by  the 
past.  And  judging  by  the  past,  he  wished  to  know 
what  there  had  been  in  the  conduct  of  th'e  British  min- 
istry for  the  last  ten  years,  to  justify  those  hopes  with 
which  gentlemen  had  been  pleased  to  solace  themselves 


PATRICK    HENftY.  267 

and  the  House  ?  Is  it  that  ihsidious  smile  with  which 
our  petition  has  been  lately  received  ?  Trust  it  not, 
sir ;  it  will  prove  a  snare  to-  your  feet.  Suffer  not 
yourselves  to  be  betrayed  with  a  kiss.  Ask  yourselves 
how  this  gracious  reception  of  our  petition  comports 
with  those  warlike  preparation*  which  cover  our  waters 
and  darken  our  land  ?  Are  fleets  and  armies  necessary 
to  a  work  of  love  and  reconciliation  ?  Have  we  shown 
ourselves  so  unwilling  to  be  reconciled,  that  force  must 
be  called  in  to  win  back  our  love  ?  Let  us  not  deceive 
ourselves,  sir.  These  are  the  implements  of  war  and 
subjugation — the  last  arguments  to  which  kings  resort. 
I  ask  gentlemen,  sir,  what  means  this  martial  array,  if 
its  purpose  be  not  to  force  us  to  submission  ?  Can 
gentlemen  assign  any  other  possible  motive  for  it  ? 
Has  Great  Britain  any  enemy  in  this  quarter  of  the 
world,  to  call  for  all  this  accumulation  of  navies  and 
armies  ?  No,  sir  ;  she  has  none.  They  are  meant  for 
us ;  they  can  be  meant  for  no  other.  They  are  sent 
over  to  bind  and  rivet  upon  us  those  chains,  which  the 
British  ministry  have  been  so  long  forging.  And  what 
have  we  to  oppose  to  them  ?  Shall  we  try  argument  ? 
Sir,  we  have  been  trying  that  for  the  last  ten  years. 
Have  we  any  thing  new  to  offer  upon  the  subject? 
Nothing.  We  have  held  the  subject  up  in  every  light 
of  which  it  is  capable;  but  it  has  been  all  in  vain. 
Shall  we  resort  to  entreaty  and  humble  supplication  ? 
What  terms  shall  we  find,  which  have  not  been  already 
exhausted  ?  Let  us  not,  t  beseech  you,  sir,  deceive  our- 
selves longer.  Sir,  we  have  done  every  thing  that 
could  be  done,  to  avert  the  storm  which  is  now  coming 


258  ORATORS    OF    ME    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

on.  We  have  petitioned — we  have  remonstrated — we 
have  supplicated — we  have  prostrated  ourselves  before 
the  throne,  and  have  implored  its  interposition  to  arrest 
the  tyrannical  hands  of  the  ministry  and  parliament.  Our 
petitions  have  been  slighted;  our  -remonstrances  have 
produced  additional  violence  and  insult;  our  supplica- 
tions have  been  disregarded ;  and  we  have  been  spurned, 
with  contempt,  from  the  foot  of  the  throne.  In  vain, 
after  these  things,  may  we  indulge  the  fond  hope  of  peace 
and  reconciliation.  There  is  no  longer  any  room  for  hope. 
If  we  wish  to  be  free — if  we  mean  to  preserve  inviolate 
those  inestimable  privileges  for  which  we  have  been  so 
long  contending — if  we  mean  not  basely  to  abandon  the 
noble  struggle  in  which  we  have  been  so  long  engaged, 
and  which  we  have  pledged  ourselves  never  to.  abandon, 
until  the  glorious  object  of  our  contest  shall  be  obtained 
— we  must  fight ! — I  repeat  it,  .sir,  we  must  fight ! ! 
An  appeal  to  arms  and  to  the  God  of  Hosts,  is  all  that  is 
left  us !" 

John  Randolph  said  of  Patrick  Henry,  that  he  was 
Garrick  and  Shakspeare  combined.  Thai:  was  the 
most  eloquent  encomium  ever  pronounced  on  eloquence, 
and  no  doubt  as  much  deserved  by  its  .object  as  by  any 
human  being.  His  appeals  to  the  heart  were  not  less 
forcible  than  were  the  bolts  of  his  -invective  or  the 
deductions  of  his  argument. 

His  style  of  thought  and  expression  seems  to  have 
been  formed  much  after  the  manner  of  the  Hebrew 
prophets,  and  the  unsophisticated  orators  of  our  western 
wilderness.  His  most  piercing  expressions  in  the  famous 
speech  just  quoted  are  borrowed  from  the  Bible,  and 


*• 

f 


PATRICK    HENKY.  25& 

their  suggestive  trains  of  association,  mere  grand  and 
impressive  even  than  those  which  he  uttered,  are  much 
like  the  following  extract  from  the  Choctaw  Chief, 
Pushmataha,  who  died  at  Washington,  in  1824.  "I 
shall  die,  but  you  will  return  to  your  brethren.  -As  you 
go  along  the  paths,  you  will  see  the  flowers  and  hear 
the  birds  ;  but  Pushmataha  will  see  them  and  hear  them 
no  more.  When  you  come  t<?  your  home,  they  will  ask 
you,  where  is  Pushmataha  ?  and  you  will  say  to  them, 
he  is  no  more.  They  will  heac  the  tidings  like  the 
sound  of  the  fall  of  a  mighty  oak  in  the  stillness  of  the 
wood."  . 

Having  previously  held  several  high  offices,  both 
civil  and  military,  Mr.  Henry,  on  the  1st  of  July,  1776, 
was  elected  the  first  Republican  Governor  of  Virginia, 
and  was  continued  in  that  station,  by  an  unanimous 
vote,  until  1778.  "On  resigning  the  government," 
says  his  biographer,  "he  retired  to  Prince  Edward 
County,  and  endeavored  to  cast-  about  for  the  means  of 
extricating  himself  from  his  debts.  At  the  age  of  fifty 
years,  worn  down  by  more  than  twenty  years  of  arduous 
service  in  the  cause  of  his  country,  eighteen  of  which 
had  been  occupied  by  the  toils  and  tempests  of  the 
Revolution,  it  was  natural  for  him  to  wish  for  rest,  and 
to  seek  some  secure  and  placid  port  in  which  he  might 
repose  himself  from  the  fatigues  of  the  storm.  This, 
however,  was  denied  him ;  and  after  having  devoted 
the  bloom  of  youth  and  the  maturity  of  manhood  to  the 
good  of  his  country,  he  had  now  in  his  old  age  to 
provide  for  his  family.  He  accordingly  resumed  the 


260  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

practice  of  the  law,  in  which  the  powers  of  his  elo- 
quence secured  him  constant  employment." 

Mr.  Henry  was  actively  occupied  in  patriotic  and 
professional  toils  through  a  long  series  of  years. 

In  his  habits  of  living  he  was  severely  temperate  and 
frugal.  He  seldom  drank  any  thing  but  water,  and  fur- 
nished his  table  in  the  most  simple  manner.  His  morals 
were  strict;  and  as  a  Christian  he  was  very  decided,  es- 
pecially in  his  mature  life. 

Education  among  the  Greeks  was  not  effeminate. 
Themistocles  says  of  himself  that  he  had  learned  neither 
to  tune  the  harp  nor  handle  the  lyre,  but  that  he  knew 
how  to  make  a  small  and  inglorious  city  both  powerful 
and  illustrious.  He  could  not  sleep  for  the  trophies  of 
Miltiades.  In  his  boyhood  he  shunned  puerile  sports, 
and  spent  his  time  in  severe  self-discipline.  Having 
been  a  poor  and  disinherited  child,  he  achieved  the 
highest  honors  in  Athens,  and  for  a  season  controlled 
the  destinies  of  the  civilized  world.  In  like  manner, 
Patrick  Henry  won,  and  worthily  wore,  the  most  exalted 
honors.  He  collected  the  first  crop  of  volunteers  in  the 
South,  after  the  battles  of  Lexington  and  Concord,  and 
was  the  most  efficient  patriot  in  his  section  of  the  land. 

Probably  no  man  ever  passed  through  so  long  a  series 
of  public  services  with  a  reputation  less  tarnished.  In 
the  year  1794,  he  bade  adieu  to  all  professional  toil,  and 
retired  to  'the  bosom  of  his  family,  attended  by  the  grati- 
tude, confidence,  admiration,  and  love  of  his  country. 

"  It  is  said  that  there  stood  in  the  court,  before  his 
door,  a  large  walnut  tree,  under  whose  shade  it  was  his 
delight  to  pass  his  summer  evenings,  surrounded  by  his 


PATRICK    HENRY.  261 

affectionate  and  happy  family,  and  by  a  circle  of  neigh- 
bors who  loved  him  almost  to  idolatry.  Here  he  would 
disport  himself  with  all  the  careless  gayety  of  infancy. 
Here,  toot  he  would- sometimes  warm  the  bosoms  of  the 
old,  and  strike  fire  from  the  bosoms  of  his  younger 
hearers,  by  recounting  the  tales  of  other  times;  by 
sketching,  with  the  boldness  of  a  master's  hand,  those 
great  historic  incidents  in  which  he  had  borne  a  part." 
Thus  employed,  in  his  sixtieth  year,  disease  met  him 
and  began  to  waste  away  the  mighty  energies  of  his 
body  and  mrnd.  He  sank  rapidly,  but  ia  Irhe  pi  acid  con- 
fidence inspired  by  Christian  hopes,  and  on  the  sixth  of 
June,  1799,  a  great  man  in  Israel  had  fallen,  Patrick 
Henry  was  no  more. 

The  great  orator  of  Virginia,  whose  career  we  have 
so  rapidly  delineated,  never  worried  his  prey  by  darting 
on  him  javelins  from  afar-;  he  advanced  directly  up  with 
raised  sledge,  and,  smote  his  victim  between  his  two 
horns  with  a  blow  that  felled  him  at  once.  The 
effective  speaker  will  be  more  intent  on  striking  with 
force  than  with  elegance ;  wholly  absorbed  in  his  great 
purpose,  he  will  not  stop  to  polish  a  phrase  when  he 
should  compel  his  antagonist  to  fall.  He  will  make  his 
weapon  keen  rather  trran  glittering. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  eloquence.  The  highest  order 
flows  directly  from  the  soul,  as  from  a  perennial  and  pro- 
lific fountain.  Its  current  is  incessant  and  irresistible  ; 
if  opposed  a  moment,  it  accumulates  its  own  chafing  mass*, 
and  will  inevitably  crush  the  obstacles  by  which  it  is  im- 
peded. The  other  multiplies  its  delicate  threads  around 
its  object,  betraying  him  into  the  meshes  of  a  skilful  net, 


262     ORATORS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 

by  the  fascination  of  a  look,  in  the  meantime  strength- 
ening every  tmy  bond  until  the  victim  is  secured  and 
tortured  to  death  by  a  thousand  malignant  stings.  • 

Henry's  mind  was  not  disciplined  into  symmetry  by 
severe  science,  nor  was  it  embellished  with  the  decora- 
tions of  classical  learning  ;  but  massy  fragments  of  ori- 
ginal thought  frequently  appear  in  the  progress  of  his 
speech,  like  shattered  colonnades  and  broken  statues, 
hurled  from  pedestal  and  base,  buried  in  common  dust. 
He  was  richly  endowed  with  that  permeating  imagina- 
tion which  gives  vitality  to  the  body  of  thought,  and 
which  •  makes  the  fortune  of  every  great  master  in  the 
divine  art  of  eloquence.  He  was  imbued  with  that  ve- 
hemence of  conviction,  that  oratorical  action,  which 
modulates  the  tones,  and  tinges  the  visage  with  irresisti- 
ble power,  and  suggests  to  the  rap£  listener  more  than 
articulated  language  can  express.  His  soul  melted  when 
he-  spoke,  and  there  were  tears  in  his  voice  which  no 
heart  could  withstand.  His  argument  grew  luminous 
as  k  arose,  like  a  majestic  tree  on  firerand  its  com- 
bustion shone  with  9,  splendor  inextinguishable  and 
unexcelled. 

The-  insipid  prettiness  of  rhetorical  mechanism  no 
more  resembles  the  &»ul  of  true  eloquence,  than  the 
unconscious  quiverings  of  galvanized  muscles  resemble 
the  spontaneous  throbs  of  a  living  and  impassioned 
heart.  Sampson  chose  an  uncouth  weapon,  but  three 
hundred  Philistines  felt  its  force. 

It  is  necessary  to  bring  into  bold  relief  the  natural 
grandeur  of  things  by  simplicity  of  expression.  The 
orator  must  be  familiar  without  vulgarity,  original  with- 


263 


out  eccentricity,  natural  and  yet  highly  artistic, — in 
apparent  carelessness  "  snatching  a  grace  beyond  the 
reach  of  art," — fluent  in  language,  but  elaborate  in 
thought,  speaking  at  once  to  the  instincts  that  are  most 
profound,  as  well  as  to  those  that  are  most  superficial. 
Ordinarily,  Henry's  style  was  the  natural  current  of  his 
thought,  and  glided  along  in  limpid,  glowing  abundance, 
as  if  it  reflected  the  still  beams  of  the  sun.  But  when 
some  exciting  crisis  occurred,  his  speech  became  impet- 
uous and  rugged  with  scythes  and  daggers,  like  a  Saxon 
war-chariot ;  then  his  flashing  bolts  shot  off  in  every 
direction  with  the  concussion  of  lightnings  which-  in  the 
same  instant  shine  and  kill.  He  drew  the  great  masses 
of  mankind  closely  around  him  by  the  exaltation  of  his 
sentiments  ;  he  held  them  still  more  enthralled  by  the 
simplicity  of  his  language. 

The  April  shower  is  gratefal  to  the  soft  herbage,  and 
the  stHl  snow  falls  gracefully  to  earth,  but  neither  of 
these  produce  strong  impressions  on  the  beholder. 
On  the  contrary,  when  rugged  clouds,  fringed  with  elec- 
tric fires,  and  buffeted  by  terrific  winds,  pour  down 
piercing  hail  and  torrent  rain,  intermingled  with  thun- 
ders that  shake  the  skies  and  astound  the  earth,  then 
do  men  tremble  unbidden  in  the  presence  of  natural 
sublimity. 

Mr.  Henry  seldom  used  the  pen,  and  has  therefore 
left  but  little  written  eloquence  authenticated  by  him- 
self. To  form  our  estimate  of  his  powers,  we  have 
mainly  to  rely  on  the  reports  of  those  who  had  wit- 
nessed the  wonders  he  wrought — those  who  had  felt  the 
magic  of  his  action,  trembled  at  the  majesty  of  his  voice, 


264  ORATORS    O«HE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

f^ff 

and  caught  the  flashings  of  his  eye, — who  had  been  fas« 
cinated  by  his  smile,  or  repulsed  by  his  terrific  frown, 
and  who  always  found  themselves  incompetent  to  express 
fully  the  power  with  which  he  impressed  conviction. 
When  all  his  great  attributes  were  fully  aroused,  his 
language,  like  that  of  Pindar,  burst  forth  with  sponta- 
neous force  and  splendid  majesty.  Ordinarily,  his  rea- 
soning was  made  obvious  by  the  intense  light  of  genius 
with  which  it  was  invested;  and  if,  sometimes,  his  judg- 
ment seemed  bewildered,  it  was  not  so  much  from  ob- 
scurity of  perception,  as  from  profuseness  of  emotion ; 
like  the  throne  of  Milton's  Heaven,  hie  mind,  when  most 
excited,  would  grow  "  dark  from  excess  of  light."  He 
nimself  intimated  that  his  chief  lamp  was  the  inward 
light  of  reason,  which  is  the  brightest  "  affluence  of  es- 
sence increate."  When  called  upon  the  stage  of  public 
life,  he  trusted  to  the  guidance  of  truth,  patriotism,  and 
justice,  tiiose  primeval  principles  which  "  shine  aloft  as 
stars."  The  blazing  brand  of  heaven  which  flashed 
upon  the  earth,  and  arrested  'the  careering  steeds  of 
Diomed,  was  not  more  appalling  to  their  affrighted 
driver,  than"  were  the  awful  denunciations  which  Henry 
hurled  against  tyranny  apd  guilt. 

Grattan  said  of  the  Irish  orator,  Malone,  that  "  when 
young,  his  eloquence  was  ocean  in  a  storm ;  when  old, 
ocean  in  a  calm  ;  but  whether  in  a  calm  or  storm,  the 
same  great  element,  the  sublimest  and  most  magnificent 
phenomenon  of  creation."  Tradition  and  history  speak 
in  rapturous  terms  of  Patrick  Henry's  eloquence,  and 
some  of  his  speeches,  reported  by  cotemporaries,  sub- 
stantiate his  fame.  But  as  well  might  one  attempt  to 


J*. 


PATRICK    HENRY.  265 


paint  lightning  with  charcoal,  as  to  delineate  a  soul  like 
his  in  duH  words.  In  order  properly  to  appreciate  his 
power,  we 

" — Should  have  seen  him  in  the  Campus  Martius, — 
In  the  tribunal, — shaking  all  the  tribes 
With  mighty  speech.     His  words  seemed  oracles, 
r£hat  pierced  their  bosoms  :  and  each  man  would  turn, 
And  gaze  in  wonder  on  his  neighbor's  face, 
That  with  the  like  dumb  wonder  ansAverd  him  : 
Then  some  would  weep,  some  shout,  some,  deeper  touch'd, 
eep  down  the  cry  with  motion  of  their  hands, 
n  fear  but  to  have  lost  a  syllable." 

* 

We  should  have  seen  him  when  he  knew  that  he  spoke 
under  the  shadow  of  the  scaffold, — when  British  cannon 
were  booming  in  the  North,  and  standing  in  the  out- 
lawed assembly  of  Virginia,  like  a  lion  at  bay,  he  caught 
the  first  cry  of  distress  from  Lexington  and  Bunker 
Hill, — with  a  generous  devotion  that  made  no  reserve, 
and  knew  no  fear, — with  a 'voice  solemn,  tremulous 
with  patrfotic  rage,  and  sweHing  over  the  thrilled  audi- 
ence like  a  trumpet-catt  to  arms,  and  with  an  eye  flash- 
ing unutterable  fire,  he  exclaimed—"  Give  me  liberty,  or 
give  me  death !" 


12 


f 


* 

*  "'*•* 


*  v- 


CHAPTER   X. 


THE  POLISHED  STATESMAN./ 


_ 

MR.  LEE  was  a  dignified  citizen  aqd  scholar  whose 
profound  erudition  and  captivating  rhetoric  were  ren- 
dered very  efficient  in  moulding  the  early  institutions  of 
our  land.  He1  was  born  in  Westmoreland  County,  Vir- 

~^M       :^BL» 

ginia,  January  20,  1732.  His  juvenile  studies  were 
pursued  in  his  father's  house,  but  his  more  mature  edu- 
cation- was  acquired  in  Yorkshire,  England.  Mr.  Lee 
was  noted  for  his  assiduity  as  a  student,  and  early  be- 
came distinguished  for  his  proficiency  in  the  classics. 
He  returned  to  his  native  land  when  about  twenty  years 
of-  age,  and,  as  he  possessed  a  large  fortune,  his  time 
was  mainly  devoted  to  the  improvement  of  his  mind. 
Works  of  civil  and  political  morality,  history,  law,  and 
elegant  literature  were  constantly  perused  by  him  with 
avidity,  and  their  principles  made  effective  in  practical 
.life. 

The  first  public  service  which  Mr.  Lee  attempted, 
was  in  the  capacity  of  captain  of  the  volunteer  com- 
panies, which  were  raised  in  1755,  for  the  purpose  of 
aiding  the  expedition  under  General  Braddock.  In  his 


RICHARD    HENfiY    LEE.  267 

twenty-fifth  year,  he  was  appointed  to  a  civil  office  in 
his  county,  which  attested  the  high  personal  considera- 
tion in  which  he  was  held.  Soon  after,  he  was  chosen 
a  delegate  to  the  House  of  Burgesses,  and  thus  began 
the  political  career  \diich  gave  his  name  its  chief 
grenown.  - 

^V$it  Lee  was  a  republican  of  an  early  and  rigid  stamp. 
Whe.h,  in  1764,  the  declaratory  Act  was  passed  in  the 
British  Parliament,  claiming  the  right  to  tax  America, 
he  was  the  first  to  bring  forward  the  subject  to  the  ru>- 
ticeftf  the  Assembly  of  ^which  he  was  a  member.  A 
special  committee  having,  in  consequence  been  appoint- 
ed to  d-raught  an  address  to  the  King,  a  memorial  to  the 
House  of  Lords,  and  a  remonstrance  to  the  House  of 
Commons,  Mr.  Lee,  as  chairman,  prepared  the  first 
two  papers.  These,  as  his  biographer  remarks,  "con- 
tain the  genuine  principles  of  the  Revolution,  and  abound 
in  the  firm  and  eloquent  sentiments  of  freemen."  In 
1765,  Patrick  Henry  introduced  in  the  Virginia  legisla- 
ture his  famous  resolutions  against  the  Stamp-Act, 
which  had  just  been  passed  by  Parliament.  Lee  lent 
Henry's  motion  his  zealous  and  powerful  assistance. 
Shortly  after  the  triumph  gained  on  that  occasion,  Lee 
planned  and  effected  a*i  association  "  for  the  purpose  of 
deterring  all  persons  from  accepting  the  office  of  vendor 
of -stamp  paper,  and  for  awing  kito  silence  and  inactivi- 
ty those  who  might  still  Be  attached  to  the  supremacy 
of  the  mother  country,  and  disposed  to  advocate  the 
right  of  colony  taxation."  This  result  the  association 
bound  themselves  to  attain,  "at  every,  hazard,  and  pay- 
ing no  regard  to  danger  or  to  death." 


268  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

The  tax  on  tea,  and  the  measure  adopted  by  Parlia- 
ment in  1767,  "to  make  provision  for  quartering  a  part 
of  the  regular  army"  at  the  expense  of  the  colony,  Lee 
exerted  himself  every  way  to  oppose,  perceiving,  as  he 
did,  their  despotic  tendency,  and  feeling  that  a  struggle 
for  freedom  was  inevitable.  In  1773,  a  plan  was  adopt- 
ed by  the  House  of  Burgesses,  for  the  formation  of  corres- 
ponding committees  to  be  organized  by  the  legislatures 
of  the  several  Colonies,  and  also  that  of  corresponding 
clubs  or  societies,  among  the  "lovers  of  liberty"  through- 
out the  Provinces,  for  the  purpose  of  diffusing  amongst 
the  people  a  correct  knowledge  of  their  rights,  of  keep- 
ing them  informed  of  every  attempt  to  infringe  them, 
and  of  rousing  a  spirit  of  resistance  to  all  arbitrary 
measures.  Of  both  these  important  suggestions  Mr. 
Lee  was  the  author. 

In  1774,  the  first  general  Ccmgress  assembled  at 
Philadelphia.  Mr.  Lee  was  a  delegate  from  Virginia. 
His  labors  during  this  session,  and  throughout  his  whole 
Congressional  career,  were  unremitting  and  invaluable. 
In  all  the  leading  measures  he  took  an  active  part,  and 
was  not  less  influential  in  the  appeals  which  went 
abroad  from  his  pen  than  in  the  counsels  which  came 
living,  from  his  lips.  He  was  the  author  of  marry  im- 
portant State  papers;  and  the  resolute  defender  of  the 
boldest  resistance  against  foreign  aggression.  The 
great  motion  of  June  7,  177ft,  "that  these  United  Colo- 
nies are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  independent 
States ;  that  they  are  absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the 
British  crown  ;  and  that  all  political  connection  betTv^een 
them  and  the  State  of  Great  Britain,  is,  and  ought  to  be 


RICHARD    HENRT    LEE.  269 

totally  dissolved,"  was  drawn,  introduced,  and  ably  sup- 
ported by  Mr.  Lee. 

The  speech  delivered  by  him  in  defence  of  this  motion 
is  reported  as  follows :  < 

"Ought  I  not  to  begin  by  observing,  that  if  we  have 
reached  that  violent  extremity,  beyond  which  nothing 
can  any  longer  exist  between  America  and  England, 
but  either  such  war  or  such  peace  as  are  made  between 
foreign  nations  ;  this  can  only  be  imputed  to  the  insa- 
tiable cupidity,  the  tyrannical  proceedings,  and  the  out- 
rages, for  ten  years  reiterated,  of  the  British  ministers. 
What  have  we  not  done  to  restore  peace,  to  re-establish 
harmony  ?  Who  has  not  heard  our  prayers,  and  who  is 
ignorant  of  our  supplications  ?  They  have  wearied  the 
universe.  England  alone  was  deaf  to  oor  complaints, 
and  wanted  that  compassion  towards  us  which  we  have 
found  among  all  other  nations.  And  as  at  first  our  for- 
bearance, and  then  our  resistance,  have  proved  equally 
insufficient,  since  our  prayers  were  unavailing,  as  well 
as  the  blood  lately  shed  ;  we  must  go  further,  and  pro- 
claim our  independence.  Nor  let  any  one  believe  that 
we  have  any  other  option  left.  The  time  will  certainly 
come  when  the  fated  separation  must  take  place,  whether 
you  will  or  no ;  for  so  it  is  decreed  by  the  very  nature 
of  things,  the  progressive  increase  of  our  population,  the 
fertility  of  our  soil,  the  extent  of  our  territory,  the  in- 
dustry of  our  countrymen,  and  the  immensity  of  the 
ocean  which  separates  the  two  States.  And  if  this  be 
true,  as  it  is  most  true,  who  dees  not  see  that  the  sooner 
it  takes  place  the  better ;  and  that  it  would  be  not  only 
imprudent,  but  the  height  of  folly,  not  to  seize  the  pre» 


270  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERIQAN    REVOLUTION. 

sent  occasion,  when  British  injustice  has  filled  all  hearts 
with  indignation,  inspired  all  minds  with  courage,  united 
all  opinions  in  one,  and  put  arms  in  every  hand  ?  And 
how  long  must  we  traverse  three  thousand  miles  of  a 
stormy  sea,  to  go  and  solicit  of  arrogant  and  insolent 
men,  either  counsels  er  commands  to  regulate  our  do- 
mestic affairs  ?  Does  it  not  become  a  great,  ribh  and 
powerful  nation,  as  we  are,  to  look  at  home,  and  not 
abroad,  for  the  government  of  its  own  concerns  ?  And 
how  can  a  ministry  of  strangers  judge,  with  any  dis- 
cernment, of  our  interests,  when  they  know  not,  and 
when  it  little  imports  them  to  know,  what  is  good  for 
us  and  what  is  not  ?  The  past  justice  of  the  British 
ministers  should  warn  us  against  the  future,  if  they 
should  ever  seize  us  again  in  their  cruel  claws.  Since 
it  has  pleased  our  barbarous  enemies  to  place  before  us 
the  alternative  *of  slavery  or  of  independence,  where  is 
the  generous-minded  man  and  the  lover  of  his  country, 
who  can  hesitate  to  choose  ?  With  these  perfidious 
men  no  promise  is  secure,  no  pledges  saered.  Lei  us 
suppose,  which  heaven  avert,  that  we  are  conquered  ; 
let  us  suppose  an  accommodation.  What  assurance 
have  we  of  the  British  moderation  in  victory,  or  good 
faith  in  treaty  ?  Is  it  thek1  having  enlisted  and  let  loose 
against  us  the  ferocious  Indians,  and  the  merciless  sol- 
diers of  Germany  ?  -Is  it  that  faith,  so  often  pledged  and 
so  often  violated  in  the  course  of  the  present  contest;  this 
British  faith,  which  is  reputed  more  false  than  Punic  ? 
We  ought  rather  to  expect,  that  when  we  shall  have 
fallen  naked  and  unarmed  into  their  hands,  they  will 
wreak  upon  us  their  fury  and  their  vengeance  ;  they 


RICHARD    HENRY    LEE.  271 

will  load  us  with  heavier  chains,  in  order  to  deprive  us 
not  only  of  the  power,  but  even  of  the  hope  of  again  re- 
covering our  liberty.  But  I  am  willing  to  admit,  although 
it  is  a  thing  without  example,  that  the  British  govern- 
ment will  forget  past  offences  and  perform  its  promises, 
can  we  imagine,  that  after  so  long  dissentions,  after  so 
many  outrages,  so  many  combats,  and  so  much  blood- 
shed, our  reconciliation  could  be  durable,  and  that  every 
day,  in  the  midst  of  so  much  hatred  and  rancor,  would 
not  afford  some  fresh  subject  of  animosity  ?  The  two 
nations  are  already  separated  in  interest  and  affections ; 
the  one  is  conscious  of  its  ancient  strength,  the  other 
has  become  acquainted  with  its  newly-exerted  force ; 
the  one  desires  to  rule  in  an  arbitrary  manner,  the  other 
will  not  obey  even  if  allowed  its  privileges.  In  such  a 
state  of  things,  what  peace,  what  concord,  can  be  ex- 
pected? The  Americans  may  become  faithful  friends 
to  the  English,  but  subjects,  never.  And  even  though 
union  could  be  restored  without  raacor,  it  could  not 
without  danger.  The  wealth  and  power  of  Great 
Britain  should  inspire  prudent  men  with  fears  for  the 
future.  Having  reached  such  a  height  of  grandeur  that 
she  has  no  longer  any  thing  to  dread  from  foreign 
powers,  in  the  security  of  peace  the  spirit  of  her  people 
will  decay,  manners  will  be  corrupted,  her  youth  will 
grow  up  in  the  midst  of  vice,  and  in  this  state  of  degene- 
ration, England  will  become  the  prey  of  a  foreign  enemy 
or  an  ambitious  citizen.  If  we  remain  united  with  her, 
we  shall  partake  of  her  corruptions  and  misfortunes,  the 
more  to  be  dreaded  as  they  will  be  irreparable  ;  sepa- 
rated from  her,  on  the  contrary,  as  we  are,  we  should 


272  ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

neither  have  to  fear  the  seductions  of  peace  nor  the 
dangers  of  war.  By  a  declaration  of  our  freedom,  the 
perils  would  not  be  increased  ;  but  we  should  add  to  the 
ardor  of  our  defenders,  and  to  the  splendor  of  victory. 
Let  us  then  take  a  firm-  step,  and  escape  from  this  laby- 
rinth ;  we  have  assumed  the  sovereign  power,  and  dare 
not  confess  it ;  we  disobey  a  king,  and  acknowledge  our- 
selves his  subjects ;  wage  war  against  a  people,  on 
whom  we  incessantly  protest  ow  desire  to  depend. 
What  is  the  consequence  of  so  many  inconsistencies  ? 
Hesitation  paralyzes  all  our  measures ;  the  way  we 
ought  to  pursue  is  not  marked  out;  our  generals  are 
neither  respected  nor  obeyed ;  our  soldiers  have  neither 
confidence  nor  zeal :  feeble  at  home,  and  little  considered 
abroad,  foreign  princes  can  neither  esteem  nor  succor 
so  timid  and  wavering  a  people.  But  independence 
once  proclaimed,  and  our  object  avowed,  more  manly 
and  decided  measures  will  be  adopted  ;  all  minds  will 
be  fired  by  the  greatness  of  the  enterprise,  the  civil 
magistrates  will  be  inspired  with  new  zeal,  the  generals 
with  fresh  ardor,  and  the  citizens  with  greater  con- 
stancy, to  attain  so  high  and  glorious  a  destiny.  There 
are  some  who  seem  to  dread  the  effects  of  this  reso- 
lution. But  will  England,  or  can  she,  manifest  against 
us  greater  rigor  and  rage  than  she  has  already  displayed? 
She  deems  resistance  against  oppression  no  less  rebellion 
than  independence  itself. 

The  Americans  may  become  faithful  friends  to  the 
English,  but  subjects,  nev^sr.  And  even  though  union 
could  be  restored  without  rancor,  it  could  not  without  dan- 


RICHARD    HENRY    LEE.  273 

ger.  And  where  are  those  formidable  troops  that  are  to 
subdue  the  Americans?  What  the  English  could  not 
do,  can  it  be  done  by  Germans  ?  Are  they  more  brave, 
or  better  disciplined?  The  number  of  our  enemies  is 
increased  ;  but  our  own  is  riot  diminished,  and  the  bat- 
tles we  have  sustained  have  given  us  the  practice  of 
arms. and  the  experience  of  war. 

America  has  arrived  at  a  degree  of  power,  which  as- 
signs her  a  place  among  independent  nations-;  we  are 
not  less  entitled  to  it  thai*  the  English  themselves.  If 
they  have  wealth,  so  also  have  we ;  if  they  are  braye 
so  are  we ;  if  they  are  more  numerous,  our  population 
\vilr  soon  equal  theirs ;  if  they  have  men  of  renown  as 
welHn  peace  as  in  warrwe  likewise  have  such;  political 
revolutions  produce  great,  brave,  and  generous-  spirits. 
From  what  we  have  already  achieved  in  these  painful 
beginnings,  it  is  easy  to  presume  what  we  shall  hereafter 
accomplish  ;  for  experience  is  the  source  of  sage  coun- 
sels, and  liberty  is  the  mother  of  great  men. 

Have  you  not  seen  the  enemy  driven  from  Lexington 
by  thirty  thousand  -citizens,  armed  and  assembled  in  one 
day  ?  Already  their  most  celebrated  ge»erals  have 
yielded,  in  Boston,  to  the  skill  of  ours.;  already  their 
seamen,  repulsed  from  our  coasts,  wander  over  the 
ocean,  where  they  are  the  sport  of  tempests,  and  the 
prey  of  famine.  Let  us  hail  the  favorable  omen,  and 
fight,  not  for  the  sake  of  knowing  on  what  terms  we  are 
to  be  the  slaves  of  England,  but  to  secure  ourselves  a 
free  existence, — to  found  a  just  and  independent  govern- 
ment. Animated  by  liberty,  the  Greeks  repulsed  the  in- 


274          ORATORS    Of  T8E;'  AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

•dttt 

numerable  army  of  Persians ;  sustained  by  the  love  of 
independence,  the  Swiss  and  the  Dutch  humbled  the 
power  of  Austria  by  memorable  defeats,  and  conquered 
a  rank  among  nations.  The  sun  of  America  also  shines 

o 

upon  the  heads  of  the  brave ;  the  point  of  our  weapons 
is  no  less  formidable  than  theirs ;  here  also  the  same 
union  prevails,  the  same  contempt  of  dangers  and  of 
death,  in  asserting  the  cause  of  our.  country. 

Why  then  do  we  longer  delay,  why  still  deliberate  ? 
Let  this  most  happy  day  give  birth  to  the  American 
republic.  Let  her  arise,  not  to  devastate  and  conquer, 
but  to  re-establish  the  reign  of  peace  and  of  the  laws. 
The  eyes  of  Europe  are  fixed  upon  us  ;  she  demands  of 
us  a  living  example  of  freedom,  that  may  contrast,  by 
the  felicky  of  the  citizens,  with  the  ever-increasing 
tyranny  which  desolates  her  polluted  shores.  She  in- 
vites us  to  prepare  an  asylum,  where  the  unhappy  may 
find  solace,  and  the  persecuted  repose.  .She  entreats  us 
to  cultivate  a  propitious  soil,  where  that  generous  plant 
which  first  sprung  up  and  grew  in  England,  but  is  now 
withered  by  the  poisonous  blasts  of  Scottish  tyranny, 
may  revive  and  flourish,  sheltering  under  Its  salubrious 
and  interminable  shade,  all  the  unfortunate  of  the  human 
race. 

This  is  the  end  presaged  by  so  many  omens ;  by  our 
first  victories,  by  the  present  ardor  and  union,  by  the 
flight  of  Howe,  and  the  pestilence  which  broke  out 
amongst  Dunmore's  people,  by  the  Very  winds  which 
baffled  the  enemy's  fleets  and  transports,  and  that  terri- 
ble tempest  which  engulphed  seven  hundred  vessels 


RICHARD    HENRY    LEE.  275 

upon  the  coast  of  Newfoundland.  If  we  are  not  this 
day  wanting  in  our  duty  to  our  country,  the  names  of 
the  American  legislators  will  be  placed,  by  posterity,  at 
the  side  of  those  of  Theseus,  of  Lycurgus,  of  Romulus, 
of  Numa,  of  the  three  Williams  of  Nassau,  and  of  all 
those  whose  memory  has  been,  and  will  be  for  ever,  dear 
to  virtuous  mea  and  good  citizens." 

The  address  which,  by  the  direction  of  Congress,  Mr. 
Lee  drew  up  in  1775,  on  behalf  of  the  twelve  United 
Colonies,  to  the  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain,  is  a  mas- 
terly production,  and  will  continue  to  the  end  of  time 
an  imperishable  monument  to  his  patriotism  and  elo* 
quence. 

Having  enumerated  the  wrongs  endured  by  the  Colo- 
nies, and  defended  the  measures  of  resistance  by  them 
employed,  the  Address  doses  with  the  following  solemn 
adjuration  : 

"  If  you  have  no  regard  to  the  connection  that  has  for 
ages  subsisted  between  us;  if  you  have  forgot  the 
wounds  we  have  received  fighting  by  your  side  for  the 
extension  of  the  empire ;  if  our  commerce  is  not  an 
object  below  your  consideration  ;  if  justice  and  human- 
ity have  lost  their  influence  on  your  hearts  ;  still,  mo- 
tives are  not  wanting  to  excite  your  indignation  at  the 
measures  now  pursued ;  your  wealth,  your  honor,  your 
liberty  are  at  stake. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  distress  to  which  we  are  re- 
duced, we  sometimes  forget  our  own  afflictions,  to  anti- 
cipate and  sympathize  in  yours.  We  grieve  that  rash 
and  inconsiderate  councils  should  precipitate  the  de- 


276       ORATORS  or  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 

-*-          A  ' 
struction  of  an  empire,  which  has  been  the  envy  and 

admiration  -of  ages ;  and  call  God  to  witness  that  we 
would  part  with  our  property,  endanger  our  lives,  and 
sacrifice  every  thing  but  liberty,  to  redeem  you  from 
ruin. 

"  A  cloud  hangs  over  your  heads  and  ours ;  ere  this 
reaches  you,  it  may  probably  burst  upon  us;  let  us 
entreat  heaven  to  avert  our  ruin,  a«d  the  destruction 
that  threatens  our  friends,  brethren,  and  countrymen, 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic !" 

As-  chairman  oi_  4he  committee  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  it  was  also  Mr.  Lee's  privilege  to  furnish  the 
commissions  and  instructions  which1  invested  George 
Washington  with  the  command  of  the  American  army. 
In  1780,  he  retired  from  his  seat  in  Congress,  and  de- 
dined  returning  to  it  until  1784.  In  the  interval,  he 
served  in  the  Assembly  of  Virginia,  and,  at  the  head  of 
the  militia  of  his  county,  protected  it  from  the  incursions 
of  the  enemy.  In  1784,  he  was  chosen  president  of  Co«- 
gress  by  an  unanimous  vote,  but  withdrew  at  the  end  of 
the  year.  In  1792,  his  health  compelled  him  to  retire  al- 
together from  public  life,  and  on  June  19th,  1794,  he 
died. 

Mr.  Lee  was  a  polished  gentleman.  His  mental 
accomplishments  were  richly  diversified,  and  his  man- 
ners were  of  courtly  elegance.  He  had  more  talent 
than  genius.  In  the  pompous  regularity  of  insipid 
elegance,  and  punctilious  mediosrity,  orators  elaborated 
in  the  schools  are  more  distinguished  for  the  fewness  of 
their  faults,  than  the  multitude  and  originality  of  their 
beauties.  No  enthusiasm,  no  blaze  of  imagination,  no 


RrCHARD    HENRY    LEB.  277 

weighty  arguments  irradiate  their  speeches  with  flash- 
ing splendors. 

Lee's  eloquence  was  like  a  beautiful  river,  meandering 
through  variegated  and  -elegant  scenes,  but  which  never 
inundates  its  banks  nor  bursts  its  barriers.  He  was 
not,  like  Patrick  Henry,  a  mountain  torrent,  springing 
from  exalted  sources,  and  dashing  away  every  thing  in 
its  irresistible  career. 

But  Lee  was  •  a  fine  rhetorician'  and  a  Sagacious 
debater.  He  had  the  happy  faculty  of  throwing  oil  on 
the  agitated  sea.  When-  the  Continental  Congress  met 
in  Philadelphia  e»  the  5th  of  September,  1774,  it  is 
said  that  silence,  awful  and  protracted,  preceded  "  the 
breaking  of  the  last  seal/'  and  that  astonishment  and 
applause  filled  the  house  when  this  was  done  by  Patrick 
Henry.  The  excitement  consequent  on  that  wonderful 
effort  might  have  subsided  into  lassitude  and  despon- 
dency, had  not  Mr.  Lee  perceived  "the  quiver  on  ever}7 
lip,  the  gleam  in  every  eye."  With  the  quickness  of 
intuition  he  saw  the  crisis  and  happily  attempted  to 
turn  the  mass  of  agitated  feeling  to  great  practical 
good.  He  arose,  and  the  sweetness  of  his  language, 
and  harmony  of  his  tones,  soothed,  but  did  not  suppress, 
the  tide  of  tumultuous  emotion  swelling  in  every  breast. 
With  the  most  persuasive  eloquence,  he  demonstrated 
that  there  was  but  one  hope  for  the  country,  and 
that  lay  in  the  energy  of  immediate  and  united  resis- 
tance. 

Mr.  Lee  was  undoubtedly  a  copious  ,and  eloquent 
speaker.  Some  of  his  admirers  called  him  "  the  Ameri- 
can Cicero,"  but,  unfortunately,  none  of  his  popular 


278         ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

speeches  extant,  justify  this  comparison.  He  certainly 
occupied  a  high  grade  in  oratorical  excellence,  but, 
perhaps,  not  the  highest. 

In  the  Gallery  of  Natural  History  at  Florence,  there 
is  a  fine  Venus  in  wax,  an  elegant  imitation  of  life, 
which  you  may  deliberately  take  down  in  parts  and 
study  at  your  leisure,  but  in  which  model  there  is  no 
throbbing  heart.  Speakers  abound  of  the  same  stamp. 
Their  language  is  correct,  but  powerless ;  their  illustra- 
tions are  pretty,  but  dry.  There  are  polished  phrases 
in  abundance,  but  what  is  wanting  is  animus,  soul. 
The  body  of  their  speech  bears  no  vital  complexion,  its 
circulation  is  water-colored,,  and  not  warm,  vivifying 
blood.  Such  a  speaker  does  not  animate  his  subject 
with  the  power  of  self-impulsion,  but  laboriously  drags 
it  after  him,  as  one  would  a  steamless  locomotive.  He 
has  not  those  powerful  touches  of  deep  feeling  which 
act  like  a  talisman  upon  the  sympathies  of  an  audience 
all  aroused.  He  lacks  the  inspiration  of  true  oratorical 
genius,  that  earnestness  and  sincerity  which  often 
advantageously  supply  the  place  of  copious  erudition 
and  elaborate  finish. 

Many  speakers  remind  us  of  the  Apollo  Belvidere 
seen  in  a  wintry  morning,  glittering  all  over  with  frost ; 
it  is  a  fine  form,  symmetrical  as  possible,  and  as  cold. 
When  a  man  withdraws  himself  from  the  direct  agency 
of  human  affections,  and  lives  in  abstract  intellect  alone, 
he  may  be  an  adroit  machinist  in  working  out  astute 
propositions,  .but  he  can  never  exert  a  wide  and  effi- 
cient control  over  the  popular  mind.  His  is  not  that 


RICHARD    HENRY    LEE.  279 

"Eloquence,  that  charms  and  burns, 
Startles,  soothes,  and  wins,  hy  turns." 

He  only  is  a  true  orator  who  has  the  power  cf 
commanding  intellects  and  hearts  with  simultaneous 
influence-on  both;  drawing  them  with  the  irresistible 
magic  of  sympathy — penetrating  them  with  deep  emo- 
tion and  lofty  thought.  Such  an  orator  unites  in 
himself  all  the  blandishments  of  art,  all  the  force  of 
feeling,  and  all  the  dignity  of  wisdom.  The  spirit  of 
eloquence  is  not  limited  to  any  particular  form,  but 
adapts  itself  to  every  variety  of  time^elass,  and  occasion, 
With  logicians,  it  argues;  with  mathematicians,  it 
demonstrates ;  with  philosophers,  it  teaches ;  with  poets, 
it  chants ;  with  the  mass  of  the  ^people,  it  talks  in 
language  and  sentiments  graduated  to  the  capacities 
and  tastes  of  each.  It  can  conceal  the  sternest  truth 
under  the  veil  of  graceful  allegory,  or  cause  the  repulsive 
skeletons  of  bony  dialectics  to  assume  the  graceful  form 
and  hues  of  poetic  life.  Under  all  circumstances,  the 
spirit  we  speak  of  is  full  of  energetic  vitality  and  is 
bodied  forth  in  "action,  utterance,  and  the  power  of 
speech,  to  move  men's  minds." 

The  above  remarks  would  indicate  the  importance  of 
uniting  strong  emotions  to  strong  arguments.  Mr.  Lee 
was  skillful  in  stating  the  terms  of  a  question,  and  was 
often  lucid  in  the  exposition  of  facts,  but  his  manner  of 
address  was  not  of  that  resistless  order  which  makes  the 
speaker  and  his  speech  to  be  forgotten  in  the  subject. 
His  fluency  of  language  was  almost  preternatural ;  its 


280  ORATORS    OB*   THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

perpetual  flow  was  like  a  river,  and  like  Pactolus,  its 
current  was  often  enriched  with  glittering  gold.  He 
was  jaot  wanting  in  elegance,  but  perhaps  he  lacked 
force.  He  was  a  great  and  useful  patriot,  but  not  of  the 
most  exalted  rank  in  the  forum,  who  speak  in  tones 
of  power,  as  cataracts  "blow  their  trumpets-  from  the 
steeps." 

Eloquence  is  not  something  to  be  put  orr  from  with- 
out, but  to  be  put  out  from  within.  It  is  manliness  and 
not  mannerism  that  makes  the  orator.  Manner  is 
something  artificial,  eloquence  is  •natural,  the  external 
manifestation  of  the  inmost  soul.  When  one  feels  deep- 
ly he  will  be  felt ;  the  popular  mind  will  recognize  and 
revere  him  as  quick  as  flesh  feels  fire.  "The  faculties 
of  the  orator  are  judgment"  and  imagination  :  and  reason 
and  eloquence,  the  product  of  these  faculties,  must  work 
on  the  judgment  ^nd  feelings  of  his  audience  for  the  at- 
tainment of  his  end.  The  speaker  who  addresses  the 
judgment  alone,  may  be  argumentative,  but  never  can 
be  eloquent;  for  argument  instructs  without  interesting, 
and  eloquence  interests  without  convincing  ;  but  ora- 
tory is  neither ;  it  is  the  compound  of  both ;  it  conjoins 
the  feelings  and  opinions  of  men  ;  it  speaks  to  the  pas- 
sions through  the  mind,  and  to  the  mind,  through  the 
passions;  and  leads  its  audience  to  its  just  purpose  by 
the  combined  and  powerful  agency  of  human  reason 
and  human  feeling." 

It  has  been  elegantly  remarked  that  "  a  good  style  is 
like  the  crystal  of  a  watch,  attracting  attention,  not  to 
itself,  but  to  what  is  beneath  it."  Refined  sensibility 


RICHARD    HENRT    LEE.  281 

4 

detracts  nothing  from  the  utility  of  rugged  strength,  but 
rather  augments  its  worth*  as  Apollo  found  a  rough 
shell  on  the  sea-shore,  and  with  a  delicate  fibre  formed 
it  into  a  lyre.  Indeed,  we  know  that  it  was  the  practice 
of  some  of  the  eloquent  Romans,  and  of  aU  Athenian 
speakers,  to  learn  from  dramatists  and  musicians  to  im- 
part graceful  ease  to  their  delivery,  and  modulation  to 
their  periods. 

"  Thus  was  beauty  sent  from  Heaven" 
The  lovely  ministress  of  truth  and  good 
In  this  dark  world ;  for  truth  and  good  are  one, 
And  beauty  dwells  in  them  and  they  in  her, 
With  like  participation  ;  wherefore  then, 
0  sons  of  earth !  would  ye  dissolve  the  tie  1" 

The  triumphs  of  true  eloquence,  the  most  august 
manifestations  of  power  on  earth,  are  never  seen 
except  when  the  orator  comes  forth  in  the  simple 
majesty  of  truth,  overpowered  with  the  weight  of  his 
convictions,  and  the  momentous  import  of  his  theme. 
Under  such  circumstances  neither  speaker  nor  hearer 
is  much  occupied  with  polish  and  prettiness;  the 
grand  question  is,  what  is  to  be  said,  and  how  shall 
it  be  most  forcibly  expressed.  There  will  be  a  back- 
ground of  skillful  arrangement,  coloring  and  decora- 
tion ;  but  that  which  is  brought  into  boldest  relief, 
and  made  to  absorb  the  profoundest  attention,  is  the 
matter  at  issue.  Entering  with  whole  heart  and  soul 
into  the  subject  of  his  discourse,  the  speaker  transports 
with  his  pathos,  fascinates  with  the  pictures  of  his  im- 
agination, melts  masses  of  listeners  with  gushes  of  ten- 


* 

* 

ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

derness,  and  moves  all  before  him  on  the  impetuous  and 
resistless  tide  of  his  arguments. 

M  Now  with  a  giant's  might 

He  heaves  the  ponderous  thought, 
Now  pours  the  storm  of  eloquence 
With  scathing  lightning  fraught." 


CHAPTER   XI. 


1*  -    •     i    •  '    'r:',  ;<*.     * 

ALEXANDER    HAMILTON, 


THE  MASTER  OF  POLITICAL  SAGACITY. 

*9^^^H 

PATRIOTS  of  exalted  worth  appeared  in  the  Colonial 
period  of  our  history,  and  signalized  their  respective 
merits  in  achieving  enterprises  of  comprehensive  and 
enduring  utility.  Their  successors  of  Revolutionary 
renown  were  no  less  dignified  in  talent  and  untarnished 
in  worth.  Looking  at  the  era  of  the  formation  and 
adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  these  United  States,  and 
the  civil  administration  of  Washington,  next  to  the 
great  President  himself  no  name  shines  fairer  than  that 
of  Alexander  Hamilton.  He  was  born  January  llth, 
1757,  in  the  island  of  Nevis  the  most  beautiful  of  the 
British  West  Indies.  His  father  was  a  "Scotchman,  his 
mother  a  French  lady,  descended  from  that  noble  race, 
the  Huguenots.  This  happy  blending  of  contrasted 
elements  in  the  original  source  of  his  blood  and  char- 
acter, solidity  and  enthusiasm,  sagacity  to  project 
theories  and  facility  in  their  execution,  will  be  exem- 
plified in  all  his  subsequent  career.  The  father  was  a 
merchant,  but  his  business  was  disastrous,  and  he  died 
in  penury  at  St.  Vincents.  The  mother  possessed 


284          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

elegant  manners  and  a  strong  intellect,  which  made  a 
vivid  impression  on  her  son,  though  she,  too,  died  when 
he  was  but  a  child. 

Like  most  men  who  are  destined  to  become  truly 
great,  young  Hamilton  was  early  left  to  buffet  adverse 
storms  and  in  the  midst  of  difficulties  to  be  the  archi- 
tect of  his  own  fortunes.  By  the  favor  of  some  persons 
related  to  his  mother,  the  otherwise  unprotected  child 
was  taken  to  Santa  Cruz,  where  he  received  the  rudi- 
ments of  early  education.  He  soon  learned  to  speak 
and  write  the  French  language  fluently,  and  was  taught 
to  repeat  the  Decalogue  in  Hebrew,  at  the  school  of  a 
Jewess,  when  so  small  that  he  was  placed  standing  by 
her  side  on  a  table.  But  his  education  at  this  period 
was  conducted  chiefly  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Knox,  a  distinguished  Presbyterian  clergyman, 
who  gave  to  the  mind  of  his  aspiring  pupil  a  religious 
bias  as  lasting  as  his  life.  In  1769,  he  was  placed  as  a 
clerk  in  the  counting-house  of  Mr.  Nicholas  Cruger,  a 
wealthy  and  highly  respectable  merchant  of  Santa  Cruz. 
By  his  skill-  and  assiduity  as  a  clerk,  young  Hamilton 
soon  won  the  attention  and  confidence  of  his  patron, 
and  at  the  same  time  betrayed  in  his  favorite  studies 
and  private  correspondence  an  ambition  that  soared  far 
above  his  mercantile  pursuits.  Before  he  was  thirteen 
years  old,  he  wrote  as  follows  to  a  young  friend  at 
school : 

"  I  contemn  the  grovelling  condition  of  a  clerk,  to 
which  my  fortune  condemns  me,  and  would  willingly 
risk  my  life,  though  not  my  character,  to  exalt  my 
station :  I  mean,  to  prepare  the  way  for  futurity." 


ALEXANDER    HAiMiLTON.  285 

Herein  gleams  the  true  fire  of  a  noble  youth,  love  of 
fame  and  the  strongest  attachment  to  untarnished 
integrity,  guarantees  of  splendid  succcess,  which  in  this 
instance  were  never  disproved  by  facts. 

While  in  Mr.  Cruger's  office,  the  predestined  states- 
man appropriated  every  hour  he  could  command  from 
recreation  and  repose,  to  mathematics,  ethics,  chemistry, 
biography,  history,  and  knowledge  of  every  kind.  Some 
of  his  youthful  compositions  were  published,  and  their 

*  promise   was   so  extraordinary    that   his  relatives  and 
friends   resolved   to  send   him  to   New  York  for  the 
purpose  of  maturing  his  education.     He  arrived  in  this 
country  in  October,  1772,  and  was  placed  at  a  grammar 
school  in  New  Jersey,  under  the  instruction  of  Francis 
Barber,    of  Elizabethtown,  who   afterward    became    a 
distinguished  officer  in  the  American  service.      At -the 
close  of  1773,  Hamilton  entered  King's  (now  Columbia) 
College,  where  he  soon    "gave  extraordinary  displays 
of  genius  and  energy  of  mind." 

In  college  Hamilton  never  relaxed  the  severe  appli- 
cation to  study  which  his  natural  tastes  and  glowing 
ambition  required ;  nor  was  he  unmindful  of  the  storm 
gathering  beyond  the  quiet  cloisters  wherein  he  prosecu- 
ted scientific  research  and  classic  lore  with  hallowed 
delight.  His  penetrating  mind,  versatile  pen,  and  power- 

*  ful  living  tones  were  from  the  first  employed  in  defending 
colonial  opposition  to  the  acts  of  the  British  Parliament. 
In   December,    1774,    and   February,    1775,  he   wrote 
anonymously    several    elaborate    pamphlets    in    favor 
of  the  pacific  measures  of  defence   recommended  by 
Congress. 


286  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

He  suggested  at  that  early  day  the  policy  of  giving 
encouragement  to  domestic  manufactures,  as  a  sure 
means  of  lessening  the  need  of  external  commerce.  He 
anticipated  ample  resources  at  home,  and  among  other 
things,  observed  that  several  of  the  southern  colonies 
were  so  favorable  in  their  soil  and  climate  to  the  growth 
of  cotton,  that  such  a  staple  alone,  with  due  cultivation, 
in  a  year  -or  two  would  afford  products  sufficient  to 
clothe  the  whole  continent.  He  insisted  upon  our 
unalienabte  right  to  the  steady,  uniform,  unshaken* 
security  of  constitutional  freedom ;  to  the  enjoyment 
of  trial  by  jury;  and  to  the  right  of  freedom  from 
taxation,  except  by  our  own  immediate  representatives, 
and  that  colonial  legislation  was  an  inherent  right, 
never  to  be  abandoned  or  impaired. 

In  this  pamphlet  controversy,  young  Hamilton  en- 
countered Doctor  Cooper,  principal  of  the  college,  and 
many  of  the  most  distinguished  tories  of  the  land. 
When  the  authorship  of  the  youthful  champion  was 
proclaimed,  all  classes  were  astonished  to  learn  such 
jHgfcfound  principles  and  wise  policy  from  so  young  an 
oracle.  By  his  extraordinary  writings  and  patriotic 
influence  he  early  deserved  and  received  the  appella- 
tion of  the  "Vindicator  of  Congress." 

The  cduntry  was  at  length  compelled  to  plunge  into 
war,  and  the  struggle  for  emancipation  from  British 
domination  had  already  commenced.  The  letter  that 
announced  the  battle  "of  Lexington  to  the  New- Yorkers, 
concluded  with  these  words:  "The  crimson  fountain 
has  opened,  and  God  only  knows  when  it  will  be  closed." 

Young  Hamilton  organized  a  military  corps,  mostly 


ALEXANPER    HAMILTON.  287 

of  fellow  students,  who  practised  their  daily  drill  early 
in  the  morning,  before  the  commencement  of  their  col- 
lege studies.  They  assumed  the  name  of  "  Hearts  of 
Oak,"  and  wore  a  green  uniform,  surmounted  by  a 
leathern  cap,  on  which  was  •  inscribed  "  Freedom  or 
Death."  Early  and  late  our  young  hero  was  busy,  not 
only  in  promoting  measures  of  resistance,  but  in  master- 
ing the  science  of  political  economy,  the  laws  of  com- 
merce, the  balance  of  trade,  and  the  circulating  medium ; 
^o  that  when  these  topics  became  prominent  matters  of 
speculation,  in  the  light  of  new  organizations  for  the 
general  good,  no  one  was  more  prompt  and  lucid  in  his 
demonstrations  than  Hamilton. 

In  March,  1776,  he  .abandoned  academic  retirement, 
and  entered  the  army  as  captain  of  a  provincial  com- 
pany of  artillery.  In  this  capacity  he  brought  up  the 
rear  of  the  army  in  the  retreat  from  Long  Island.  He 
was  in  the  action  at  White  Plains,  on  the  28th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1776  ;  and  with  his  company  of  artillery  was  firm 
and  heroical  in  the  retreat  through  New  Jerse}r,  on 
which  occasion  he  repelled  the  progress  of  the  British 
troops  on  the  banks  of  the  Raritan.  He  fought  at  the 
head  of  his  brave  company  at  Trenton  and  Princeton, 
and  continued  in  the  same  command  until  the  first  of 
March,  1777,  when,  having  attracted  the  admiration  of 
Washington,  he  was  appointed  his  aid-de-camp,  with 
the  rank  of  colonel.  From  this  time,  he  continued  until 
February,  1781,  the  inseparable  companion  of  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief, and  was  always  consulted  by  him,  and 
by  all  the  leading  public  functionaries,  on  the  most  im- 
portant occasions.  He  acted  as  his  first  aid  at  the  bat- 


288  ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

ties  of  Brandywine,  Germantown,  and  Monmouth  ;  and 
at  his  own  request,  at  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  he  led  the 
detachment  which  carried  by  assault  one  of  the  strongest 
outworks  of  the  foe. 

Many  fine  qualities  were  combined  in  Hamilton  to 
render  him  useful  to  all,  and  especially  to  make  him,  in 
the  service  of  Washington,  what  that  great  man  de- 
clared he  was,  "  his  principal  and  most  confidential  aid." 
His  accurate  and  comprehensive  knowledge  of  military 
science,  placed  him  in  the  first  rank  of  tacticians  ;  his 
courteous  manners  rendered  his  general  intercourse 
with  the  army  a  delight  to  all ;  his  familiarity  with  the 
French  language  won  the  especial  attachment  of  all  the 
French  division  of  our  army,  making  him  the  constant 
favorite  in  particular  of  the  Marquis  Lafayette  and  the 
Baron  Steuben. 

Never,  perhaps,  in  the  history  of  nations  was  a  youth 
of  twenty  called  to  such  precious  honors  and  responsi- 
bilities as  those  which  Hamilton,  at  that  early  age,  was 
called  to  assume  as  the  private  secretary  and  confiden- 
tial friend  of  Washington.  On  none  did  the  arm  of  that 
great  man  more  habitually  lean  for  support  than  on  this 
.erudite  and  patriotic  youth,  and  by  no  other  earthly 
power  was  he  more  fortified  than  by  him.  It  is  in  vain 
that  we  look  through  the  gallery  of  universal  history  to 
find  a  fit  companion  to  this  picture  of  early  wisdom  and 
unblemished  honor,  standing  forth  as  the  palladium  "of 
national  safety  in  the  days  of  greatest  peril.  We  do  not 
mean  that  he  stood  alone,  but  only  that  he  was  unex- 
celled. Among  the  many  willing  and  devoted  hearts  of 
that  heroic  age,  in  the  camp  and  in  the  cabinet,  patriots 


ALEXANDER  HAMILTON.  289 

whom  danger  and  suffering  could  not  appall,  nor  treason 
or  despair  divert  from  their  high  enterprise,  the  fame  of 
no  one  is  brighter,  and  the  patfi  of  none  more  exalted  and 
pure,  than  that  traced  by  Hamilton.  This  position  we 
will  attempt  to  substantiate  by  hastily  reviewing  first  his 
merits  as  an  orator,  and  secondly  as  a  statesman. 

Hamilton's  first  political  speech  to  a  popular  assembly 
was  delivered  at  "  th^ great  meeting  in  the  fields,"  as  it 
was  called,  and  was  occasioned  by  a  call  to  choose  dele- 
Agates  to  tli£  first  Congress.  At  that  time  he  was  a  stu- 
dent in  King's  College,  and  was  every  way  exceedingly 
juvenile  in  appearance.  Being  unexpectedly  called 
upon,  his  effort  was  unpremeditated,  and  at  first  he  fal- 
tered and  hesitated,  overawed  by  the  'impressive  scene 
before  him ;  but  his  youthful  countenance,  his  slender 
form  and  novel  aspect  awakened  curiosity  and  excited 
universal  attention.  An  immense  multitude  were  as- 
tonished and  electrified  by  "  the  infant  orator,"  as  they 
called  him.  After  a  discussion,  clear,  forcible,  and  strik- 
ing, of  the  great  principles  involved,  he  depicted  in 
glowing  colors  the  long  continued  and  constantly  aggra- 
vated oppressions  of  the  mother-country.  Touching 
this  point  he  burst  forth  in  a  strain  of  bold  and  thrilling 
eloquence. 

"  The  sacred  rights  of  mankind,"  were  his  words, 
"  are  not  to  be  rummaged  for  among  old  parchments  or 
musty  records  ;  they  are  written  as  with  a  sunbeam  in 
the  whole  volume  of  human  nature,  by  the  hand  of  Di- 
vinity itself,  and  can  never  be  erased  or  obscured  by 
mortal  power." 

He  insisted  on  the  duty  of  resistance,  pointed  out  the 


290  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

means  and  certainty  of  success,  and  described  the  waves 
of  rebellion  sparkling  with  fire,  and  washing  back  on 
the  shores  of  England  the  wrecks  of  her  power,  her 
wealth,  and  her  glory.  Under  this  spontaneous  burst 
of  mature  eloquence  from  lips  so  youthful,  the  vast  mul- 
titude first  sank  in  awe  and  surprise,  and  then  rose  with 
irrepressible  astonishment : 

"  Down  sank 

Instant  all  tumult,  broke  abruptly  off 
Fierce  voice  and  clash  of  arms  :  so  mute  and  deep 
Settled  the  silence,  the  low  aeund  was  heard 
Of  distant  waterfall,  and  the  acorn  drop 
From  the  green  arch  above," 

The  death-like  silence  ceased  as  he  closed,  and  re- 
peated huzzas  resounded  to  the  heavens. 

Soon  after  this  memorable  event,  young  Hamilton 
entered  upon  that  military  career  which  we  have  already 
sketched  down  to  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  con- 
flict. But  the  better  qualities  of  his  head  and  heart 
were  developed  more  especially  in  powerful  speech, 
during  those  five  years  of  sorrow,  and  almost  despair, 
which  succeeded,  beginning  with  the  close  of  the  mar- 
tial contest  in  1782,  and  extending  to  the  adoption  of 
the  Constitution  in  1787.  This  period  of  our  history  is, 
perhaps,  least  attractive  to  the  general  reader,  but  one 
which  in  fact  is  most  worthy  of  being  explored. 
During  these  five  years,  Hamilton  was  a  prominent 
advocate  for  wise  freedom  in  the  four  deliberative 
bodies  which  most  powerfully  determined  the  future 
destinies  of  the  country.  These  were  the  Congress  of 
the  Confederation,  in  1782  and  1783,  which  closed  the 


ALEXANDER    HAMILTON.  291 

war  and  ratified  the  definitive  treaty ;  the  Convention 
at  Annapolis,  in  1786,  that  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
General  Convention  adopting  the  Constitution ;  the 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York  in  January,  1787, 
in-  which  the  battle  of  State  rights  was  fought  against 
the  definitive  treaty;  and  lastly,  the  General  Conven- 
tion which  met  in  Philadelphia,  in  May  of  the  same 
year,  and  by  which  the  Federal  Constitution  was  con- 
structed and  adopted.  .In  each  of  these  great  and 
important  bodies  he  appeared  as  an  influential  leader, 
always  relied  on  as  amongdhe  most  safe,  and  universally 
esteemed  for  the  clearness  and  force  with  which  he 
originated  and  sustained  great  measures  of  national 
policy. 

In  December,  1780,  Hamilton  married  the  second 
daughter  of  Major  General  Schuyler,  and  in  the  Feb- 
ruary following,  he  retired  from  the  family  of  General 
Washington,  to  become  more  completely  absorbed 
in  forensic  toil.  He  took  his  seat  in  Congress  in 
November,  1782.  and  continued  there  until  the  autumn 
of  1783.  The  legislators  of  that  body  had  many  diffi- 
cult and  exhausting  duties  to  perform.  Army  discon- 
tents were- to  be  appeased;  complicated  claims. to  be 
settled;  and  if  possible,  the  half-pay  of  innumerable 
patriots  to  be  obtained.  Hamilton  renounced  his  own 
demands,  accruing  from  long  martial  service,  that  he 
might  freely  plead  the  cause  of  his  brethren  in  arms. 
On  the  6th  of  December,  1782,  he  moved  and  carried 
an  important  resolution  on  national  finance  ;  the  begin- 
ning of  his  invaluable  labors  in  behalf  of  an  improved 
revenue ;  the  sinking  fund  and  assumption  of  the  State 


292  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

debts ;  a  currency  well  defined  and  the  establishment 
of  a  national  coinage. 

Immediately  after  Hamilton  entered  Congress  all  its 
proceedings  assumed  a  more  vigorous  tone  and  exalted 
character.  Grievances  were  redressed,  and  effective 
measures  of  general  interest  were  promptly  passed. 
His  report  in  answer  tQ  Rhode  Island,  and  many  other 
documents  and  speeches  in  behalf  of  a  more  solid  and 
effective  union,  gave  a  new  and  more  cheering  aspect 
to  the  whole  face  of  public  affairs.  His  influence  in 
guiding  the  terms  of  peace  w*s  very  great,  and  especially 
was  he  efficient  in  rendering  the  fruits  of  peace  in  the 
highest  degree  profitable  to  all  classes  of  his  countrymen. 

In  the  brief  Convention  at  Annapolis,  Hamilton  fur- 
nished the  original  draught  of  the  report  which  was 
adopted  and  sent  to  the  four  States  therein  represented, 
namely,  Virginia,  Delaware,  Pennsylvania,  and  New 
York. 

In  the  New  York  Legislature  of  1787,  among  other 
measures,  we'  are  told  the  following  are  due  to  him : 
The  Bankrupt  Act  and  amendment  of  its  criminal 
cede ;  the  establishment  of  the  State  university  and  its 
general  system  of  public  instruction,  then  a  novel 
scheme ;  and  above  all,  his  influence  was  pre-eminent 
in  carrying  into  effect  the  provisions  of  the  definitive 
treaty,  in  opposition  to  the  dominant  party,  to  many 
existing  State  laws,  and  to  strong  popular  feeling 
against  it. 

In  the  Convention  of  1787,  his  labors  were  undoubt- 
edly the  most  important  of  all :  to  these  we  shall  revert 
when  we  come  to  consider  their  author's  statesmanship. 


ALEXANDER    HAMILTON.  293 

It  is  believed  that  Hamilton's  eloquence  consisted  in 
a  happy  combination  of  a  high  sense  of  -honor,  a  clear 
but  energetic  understanding,  and  an  acute  sensibility. 

In  the  first  place,  he  possessed  a  high  sense  of  honor, 
which  fortified  all  his  powers,  and  crowned  him  with 
the  majesty  of  a  great  and  useful  orator.  We  may 
apply  to  this  master  mind  what-^Pope  said  of  the  distin- 
guished English  statesman : 

"  Argyle,  the  State's  whole  thunder  born  to  wield, 
And  shake  alike  the  |pnate  and  the  field." 

• 
The  biographer  of  Hamilton,  speaking  of  his  father's 

powers  as  displayed  in  the  Congress  of  1782,  laments, 
in  common  with  the  whole  country,  that  so  little  remains 
to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  4t. 

"  Of  the  distinctive  features,"  says  he,  "  of  that  com- 
manding and  winning  eloquence,  the  wonder  and 
delight  of  friend  and  foe,  but  of  which  no  perfect 
reports  are  preserved,  a  delineation  will  not  now  be 
attempted.  It  suffices  here  to  observe  how  deeply  his 
modes  of  thinking  imparted  to  the  proceedings  of  this 
body  a  new  tone  and  character.  And  those  who  re- 
mark in  these  pages  the  sentiments  with  which'  he 
regarded  the  demands  of  the  army,  how  solemn  his 
respect  for  the  requirements  of  justice,  how  incessant 
and  undespairing  his  efforts  to  fulfil  them,  can  best 
image  to  themselves  with  what  living  -touches  and 
thrilling  appeals  he  called  up  before  this  Senate  -their 
accumulated  wrongs,  and  with  what  deep  emotions  and 
almost  holy  zeal  he  urged,  he  enforced,  he  implored, 


294          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

with  all  the  ardor  of  his  bold  arid  generous  nature,  an 
honest  fulfilment  of  the  obligations  to  public  faith." 

But  a  clear  and  energetic  understanding,  vivified  and 
ennobled  by  acute  sensibility,  were  traits  equally  promi- 
nent in  the  constitution  of  Hamilton's  mind.  His 
heart  was  as  generous  as  his  will  was  resolute.  He 
seems  to  have  ever  been  the"  object  of  passionate  admira- 
tion to  those  who  knew  him  best.  A  senior  officer  in 
Washington's  staff  conferred  on  him  the  epithet  of 
"  The  Little  Lion,"  a  term  of  endearment  by  which  he 
was  familiarly  knovyn  among  his  bosom  friends  to  the 
close  of  his  life. 

"  Hamilton's  great  characteristics,"  says  his  son, 
"  were  firmness  and  gentleness.  His  spirit  was  as  bold 
as  it  was  sympathizing.  He  hated  oppression  in  all  its 
forms,  and  resisted  it  in  every  shape.  Governed  by  the 
highest  principles,  with  them  his  lofty  nature  would  ad- 
mit no  compromise  ;  for  he  was  accustomed  to  view 
infractions  of  them  on  all  their  remole  consequences. 
Hence  his  denunciations  of  tyranny  were  universal  and 
unsparing."  It  was  this  "  lion-like"  fearlessness  of  heart 
that  infused  into  the  whole  of  Hamilton's  public  life  that 
chivalric  tone  which  so  prominently  marked  it.  Whether 
at  the  bar,  in  the  cabinet,  or  on  the  field,  he  was  still  the 
generous  foe  and  the  peerless  knight,  "  sans  peur  et  sans 
reproche."  Wherever  wrong  was  to  be  redressed,  or 
rights  vindicated,  Hamilton  stood  foremost.  Wherever 
the  strong  arm  was  needed,  or  the  gallant  heart,  or  the 
eloquent  tongue,  to  smite  down  the  oppressor,  or  to  raise 
up  the  fallen,  the  first  name  invoked  by  the  sufferer  was 
that  of  Hamilton.  It  is  one  of  the  pleasing  character- 


ALEXANDER    HAMILTON.  295 

istic  incidents  recorded  by  his  son  of  his  professional 
career,  that  his  very  first  appearance  as  an  advocate 
was  in  defence  of  one  in  name  a  foe,  who,  having  been 
through  the  war  an  adherent  to  the  enemy,  had  fallen 
under  the  hated  proscription  of  the  State  itself.  The 
trial,  too,  was  held  under  circumstances  sufficient  to-  have 
daunted  a  less  determined  mind,  irrespective  of  the  inex- 
perience of  the  pleader ;  "  while  the  strife  of  the  fierce  con- 
test was  recent,"  are  the  words  of  his  son,  "  in  the  midst 
of  a  dilapidated  and  yet  disordered  city,  where  all  around 
were  beheld  the  ravages  of  the  invader,  in  a  hall  of  jus- 
tice desecrated  and  marred  by  the  excesses  of  its  late 
occupants,  a  licentious  soldiery.  On  one  side  was  the 
attorney -general  of  the  State,  armed  with  all  its  authority 
to  sustain  its  laws,  representing  the  passions  of  an  in- 
flamed community.  .  .  .  On  the  other  stood  Ham- 
ilton, resting  on  the  justice  of  this  mighty  cause,  the 
good  faith  of  the  nation.  The  result  was  honorable 
alike  to  the  court  and  the  advocate.  It  was  the  triumph 
of  right,  over  usurpation."  But  such  triumphs  were 
often  enjoyed  in  after  life  by  this  noble,  dauntless,  and 
eloquent  pleader.  His  son  just  glances  at  a  celebrated 
instance,  when,  in  giving  the  touching  history  of  his 
father's  return  to  the  city  of  New  York,  after  its  evacua- 
tion by  the  enemy,  he  says  :  "  Cordial  'were  the  greet- 
ings of  this  grateful  city  as  it  welcomed  in  its  once 
"  stranger  boy"  the  now  powerful  advocate  of  mercy  to 
its  apprehensive  denizens,  hastening  to  shield  them  from 
persecution  for  the  venal  offence  of  mistaken  policy." 
Thus,  in  the  powerful  eloquence  of  their  strong  foe,  the 
vanquished  found  a  panoply  to  protect,  where  they 


296          ORATORS    OF    TfiE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

dreaded  a  destroying  sword.  It  is  added,  that  on  his 
return  from  the  seat  of  the  legislature,  whither  he  had 
hastened  to  defeat  an  unjust  bill  that  would  have-brought 
ruin  on  the  defenceless  tories,  he  sternly  refused  from 
them  a  purse  of  some  thousand  dollars,  made  up  for  him 
in  .his  absence  by  his  grateful  but  unknown  clients  ;  re- 
fased  it  with  the  magnanimous  reply,  that  "  the  cause  of 

national  honor  was  not  to  be  paid  for."     It  was  this 

•'» 
happy  union  of  largeness  and  loftiness  of  soul  that  made 

Hamilton  the  model-advocate  of  his  own  and  of  every 
age. 

One  who  wrote  on  the  character  of  this  renowned 
statesman  lawyer  says  :  "  He  was  a  great  favorite  with 
the  New  York  merchants ;  and  he  justly  deserved  to  be 
so,  for  he  had  uniformly  proved  himself  to  be  an  enlight- 
ened, intrepid  and  persevering  friend  to  the  commercial 
prosperity  of  the-  country.  He  was  a  great  master  of 
commercial  law,  as  well  as  of  the  principles  of  interna- 
tional jurisprudence.  There  were  no  deep  recesses  of  the 
science  which  he  did  not  explore.  He  would  occasion- 
ally draw  from  the  fountains  of  the  civil  law,  and  illus- 
trate and  enforce  the  enlightened  decisions  of  Mansfield 
by  the  severe  judgment  of  Emerigon  and  the  lucid  com- 
mentaries of  Valin.  In  short,  he  conferred  dignity  and 
high  reputation  upon  the  profession,  of  which  he  was  in- 
disputably the*  first  of  the  first  rank,  by  his  indefatigable 
industry,  his  thorough  researches,  his  logical  powers,  his 
solid  judgment,"  his  winning  candor,  and  his  matchless 
eloquence." 

Colonel  Hamilton  was  as  forcible  in  speech  as  he  was 
substantial.  His  arguments  were  like  artillery  of  heavy 


ALEXANDER  -HAMILTON.  297 

calibre,  planted  on  a  commanding  position,  and  worked 
with  an  agility  that  captures  or  destroys  every  point. 
His  ponderous  metal,  put  into  nimble  and  fatal  execu- 
tion, reminds  one  of  Schiller's  description  : 

"  Straight  forth  goes 

The  lightning's  path,  and  straight  the  fearful  path 
Of  the  cannorvball.     Direct  it  flies,  and  rapid 
Shattering  that  it  may  reach,  and  shattering  what  it  reaches." 

The  momentum  of  his  thought  was  as  great  as  its 
magnitude  and  value,  all  of  which  traits  in  him  were 
seldom  or  never  excelled.  The  severe  grandeur  with 
which  he  sketched  the  outline  of  his  subject,  and  the 
elaborate  beauty  with  which  he  wrought  out  its  perfect 
execution,  remind  one  of  the  rule  which  Tintoretto 
adopted  :  "  I  follow  Michael  Angelo  for  my  designs,  and 
Titian  for  my  coloring."  When  impetuous-  feeling  is 
the  concomitant  of  lucid  and  legitimate  argument,  the 
passion  of  eloquence  becomes  contagious  in  its  pos- 
sessor, and  is  irresistible  in  its  power  of  fascination. 
Hamilton's  imagination  "  was  strengthened  by  discipline 
and  fed  with  truth  ;  the  ardor  of  his  heart  melted  his 
towering  understanding  into  streams  of  inexhaustible 
richness  and  perennial  flow ;  so  that  his  limpid  and  irre- 
sistible thought  was  poured  forth  like  some  majestic 
river,  whose  current,  deep,  vast  and  waveless,  rolls  past 
us  silently,  but  will  roll  for  ever." 

Let  us,  in  the  second  place,  glance  more  particularly- 

at  the  character  of  Hamilton,  considered  as  a  statesman. 

We  have  referred  to  the  early  period  when  he,  then  a 

stripling  youth  of  seventeen,  went  forth  to  battle  and 

13* 


298  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

spoke  with  so  much  success  in  the  great  meeting  held 
where  now  stands  tSfe  Park  in  New  York.  It  was  at  the 
same  period  that  he  sent  forth  his  first  recorded  appeals 
through  the  press,  calling  to  union  and  pointing  to  glory 
"through,"  to  use  his  own  words,  "  the  steady,  uniform, 
unshaken  security  of  constitutional  freedom;"  adding, 
with  that  noble  enthusiasm  which  was  his  habitual  in- 
spiration and  chief  reward,  "  I  would  die  to  preserve  the 
laws  upon  a  solid  foundation  ;  but  take  away  liberty, 
and  the  foundation  is  destroyed." 

It  would  be  difficult  to  over-estimate  the  value  of 
Hamilton's  services  during  the  long  period  lie  acted  as 
first  aid  and  confidential  secretary  to  the  Commander-in- 
chief  of  the  American  army.  The  -principal  portions  of 
the  voluminous  correspondence  fell  on  him,  and  the  most 
elaborate  communications  are  understood  to  have  been 
made  essentially  by  his  assistance.  "  The  pen  of  our 
country,"  says  Troup,  was  held  by  Hamilton ;  and  for 
dignity  of  manner,  pith  of  matter  and  elegance  of  style, 
General  Washington's  letters  are  unrivalled  in  military 
annals."  The  public  documents  drawn  up  by  this 
secretary  and  by  his  associates  richly  deserve  the  enco- 
mium pronounced  on  them  by  Lord  Chatham,  in  the 
House  of  Lords ;  "  When  you  consider  their  decency, 
firmness  and  wisdom,"  said  he,  "  you  cannot  but  respect 
their  cause,  and  wish  to  make  it  your  own.  For  my- 
self, I  must  declare  and  avow,  that  in  all  my  reading, 
and  it  has  been  my  favorite  pursuit,  that  for  solidity  of 
reasoning,  force  of  sagacity  and  wisdom  of  conclusion, 
under  all  the  circumstances,  no  nation  or  body  of  men 


ALEXANDER  HAMILTON.  299 

can  stand  in  preference  to  the  general  Congress  at  Phil- 
adelphia." 

We  have  quoted  the  words  of  one  who  called  Hamil- 
ton the  pen  of  the  Revolution.  Others,  with  perhaps 
still  better  reasons,  have  termed  him  the  THINKER  of  that 
momentous  period  ;  and,  as  such,  the  prophetical  patriot 
who  was  above  and  beyond  his  age.  It  is  certain  that 
he  projected  many  plans  which  seemed  to  his  cotempo- 
raries  impossible  at  first,  but  which  were  afterwards 
demonstrated  to  be  not  only  bold  and  majestic,  but  emi- 
nently sound  and  practical.  His  most  difficult  labors 
were  attempted  and  gloriously  performed  during  the 
gloomy  period  which  extended  from  1782  to  1787. 
"  Whatever,"  says  •Hamilton,  "  might  be  the  future  re- 
sources of  this  nation,  whatever  were  the  capacities  of 
the  people,  America  now  presented  an  unrelieved  picture 
of  anarchy  and  disunion.  Her  public  engagements  had 
nearly  all  been  violated,  her  private  resources  appeared 
either  to  be  exhausted,  or  could  not-  be  called  into  ac- 
tion ;  and  while  the  individual  States  were  pursuing 
measures  of  mutual  hostility  and  detriment,  the  confed- 
eration was  powerless  ever  their  laws,  powerless  over 
public  opinion."  Nor  was  this  the  worst:  "The  gene- 
ral relaxation  of  morals,  an  usual  and  most  lamentable 
concomitant  of  war,  was  attended  with  a  prevailing 
disregard  of,  and  disposition  to  question,  the  decisions 
of  the  courts.  In  the  political  speculations  to  which  the 
Revolution  had  given  rise,  the  sovereignty  of  the  popu- 
lar will,  which  was  recognized  as  the  basis  of  every 
proceeding,  was  pushed  to  its  utmost  extremes  in  its 


300  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

application ;  and  wherever  the  operation  of  the  laws 
bore  hard  in  the  then,  unsettled  relations  of  society,  to 
recur  to  elementary  principles  of  government,  and  re- 
solve every  rule  by  its  apparent  adaptation  to  individual 
convenience,  was  the  prevailing  tendency  of  public 
opinion." 

This  great  statesman  felt  the  weakness  of  the  existing 
confederation,  and  saw  how  the  national  resources  were 
either  utterly  confused  or  exhausted.  But,  to  use  the 
language  of  the  historian  of  that  period,  "  a  new  world  is 
seen  rising  into  view ;  a  world  of  hope ;  and  as  the 
great  lights  that  shine  upon  ks  morning  path  appear, 
the  grateful  inquiry  is:  "Whose  were  those  superior 
minds  that,  amid  the  darkness  of  a  chaotic,  confederacy, 
combined  the  elements  of  social  order,  and  formed  them 
into  a  vast  majestic  empire  ?" 

Let  us  seek  for  a  suitable  response  to  that  question  in 
the  consideration  of  several  facts. 

When  the  enormous  issues  of  paper-currency  had  in- 
volved the  finances  of  the  United  States  to  the  amount  of 
two  hundred  millions  of  dollars,  and  both  the  govern- 
ment and  army  were  plunged  into  the  greatest  distress, 
Hamilton  set  about  discovering  the  best  means  of  relief. 
This  wag  not  to  him  an  entirely  new  field  of  research, 
and  he  explored  most  profoundly  the  complicated  mat- 
ters ef  finance,  currency  and  taxation ;  studies  which 
soon  invested  him  with  the  immortal  honor  of  being 
"the  founder  of  the  public  credit  of  the  United  States." 
In  1779  he  addressed  a  letter  to  Robert  Morris,  detail- 
ing a  plan  which  he  had  projected  for  the  restoration  of 
a  depreciated  currency,  credit  and  confidence.  About 


ALEXANDER    HAMILTON.  301 

a  year  later  he  addressed  a  letter  to  Mr.  Duane,  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  New  York,  on  the  state  of  the 
nation.  "  This  letter  appears  at  this  day,'  «ays  one, 
"  with  all  the  lights  and  fruits  of  our  experience,  as  mas- 
terly in  a  pre-eminent  degree.  He  went  on  to  show  the 
defects  and  total  inefficiency  of  the  articles  of  confedera- 
tion, and  to  prove  that  we  stood  in  need 'of  a  national 
government,  with  the  requisite  sovereign  powers  ;  such, 
indeed,  as  the  confederation  theoretically  contained,  but 
without  any  fit  organs  to  receive  them.  He  suggested 
the  idea  of  a  national  convention  to  amend  and  re-or- 
ganize the  government.  This  was  undoubtedly  the 
ablest  and  truest  production  on  the  state  of  the  Union, 
its  finances,  its  army,  its  miseries,  its  resources,  and  its 
remedies,  that  appeared  during  the  Revolution.  It  con- 
tained in  embryo  the  existing  federal  Constitution,  and 
it  was  the  production  of  a  young  man  of  the  age  of 
twenty-three."  In  the  winter  of  1781-2,  this  indefati- 
gable patriot  continued  his  discussion  of  the  same  en- 
grossing theme  through' a  series  of  anonymous  essays 
published  in  the  country  papers  of  New  York.  In 
brief,  it  was  his  pen  that  traced  so  early  and  so  pro- 
foundly, with  outlines  the  most  clear  and  distinct,  the 
stupendous  chart  of  empire  then  just  opening  on  the 
startled  gaze  of  emancipated  but  feeble  colonists.  To 
answer  the  question  propounded  above,  we  will  ask 
several  more.  From  whose  eloquent  lips  came  so  often 
the  thrilling  cry  of  "  union"  and  a  "  $olid  confederation  ?" 
— who  wrote  the  "  Continental^  ?" — who  named  the 
"Federalist?" — who  was  then  stigmatized  as  the 
"Unionist?" — what  mind  roused  the  whole  country  to 


302          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

reflection  in  the  burning  words  of  Phocion  and  Publius  ? 
— who  fought  its  battles-  through  good  report  and  evil 
report,  ev«n  from  the  very  hour  that  the  first  blow  was 
struck  in  the  Colonial  contest  ?  These  questions  have 
been  asked  before,  and  may  be  answered,  once  for  all — 
HAMILTON  ! 

But  after  all  that  may  be  justly  said  in  praise  of  this 
patriot  as  a  popular  orator,  heroical  soldier  and  polished 
writer,  the  most  substantial  service  conferred  on  the 
country  by  his  diversified  and  transcendent  talents  was 
performed  by  him  in  the  character  already  referred  to 
as  the  national  financier.  As  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
he  was  the  creative  spirit  that  ruled  the  tempest  and 
reduced  chaos  to  form  : 

"  Confusion  heard  his  voice,  and  wild  uproar 
Stood  ruled." 

Being  a  member  of  President  Washington's  private 
council,  he  was  one  of  the  advisers  of  neutrality  in 
April,  1793,  when  the  proclamatipn  was  issued  with  re- 
spect to  the  war  then  raging  between  Great  Britain  and 
France.  This  neutral  policy  Hamilton  aided  much  by 
his  essays,  under  the  signature  of  "  No  Jacobin,"  by  the 
elaborate  productions  of  "  Pacificus,"  and  still  more  by 
his  advice  in  favor  of  the  especial  mission  of  Chief  Jus- 
tice .Jay,  as  minister  to  England,  in  1794. 

In  reviewing  tha  life  of  Hamilton  as  a  statesman,  it 
should  be  remarked  that  he  was  fully  equal  to  the  highest 
stations  he  occupied,  and  that  he  honored  them  all.  In 
this  respect  he  -resembled  Edmund  Burke.  Owing  no- 
thing of  his  elevation  to  birth,  opulence,  or  official  rank, 


ALEXANDER  ^HAMILTON.  303 

he  required  none  of  those  adventitious  supports  to  rise 
and  move  at  ease,  and  with  instinctive  power,  in  the 
Wghest  regions  of  public  effort,  dignity  ana  renown; 
the  atmosphere  of  courts  and  senates  was  native  to  his 
majesty  of  wing.  There  was  no  fear  that  his  plumage 
would  give  way  in  either  the  storm  or  the  sunshine ; 
those  are  the  casualties  of  inferior  powers.  He  had  his 
share  of  both  the  tempest  and  that  still  more  perilous 
trial  which  has  melted  down  the  virtue  of  so  many  as- 
piring spirits  in  the  favor  of  cabinets.  But  he  grew 
purer  and  more  powerful  for  good ;  to  his  latest  moment 
he  continually  rose  more  and  more  above  the  influence 
of  party,  until  at  last  the  politician  was  elevated  into  the 
philosopher ;  and  fixing  himself  in  that  loftier  region, 
from  which  he  looked  down  on  the  cloudy  and  turbulent 
contests  of  the  time,  he  soared  upward  calmly  in  the 
light  of  truth,  and  became  more  splendid  at  every  wave 
of  his  wing. 

Brougham  thinks  justly  that  Chatham's  highest  enco- 
mium rests  on  the  fact  that,  "  Far  superior  to  the  paltry 
objects  of  a  grovelling  ambition,  and  regardless  alike  of 
party  and  personal  considerations,  he  constantly  set  be- 
fore his  eyes  the  highest  duty  of  a  public  man,  to  fur- 
ther the  interest  of  his  species.  In  pursuing  his  course 
toward  that  goal,  he  disregarded  alike  the  frowns  of 
power  and  the  gales  of  popular  applause,  exposed  him- 
self undaunted  to  the  vengeance  of  the  court,  battled 
against  its  corruptions,  and  confronted,  unappalled,  the 
rudest  shock  of  public  indignation."  That  Hamilton 
actually  pursued  such  a  course  as  this,  and  was  governed 
by  such  principles,  is  well  known  from  cotemporaneous 


304  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

history,  and  especially  from  his  own  pen  in  the  opening 
language  of  the  "  Federalist."  "  An  enjightened  zeal,"  he 
observes,  "for  the  energy  and  efficiency  of  government, 
will  be  stigmatized  as  the  offspring  of  a  temper  fond  of 
power  and  hostile  to  the  principles  of  liberty.  The  con- 
sciousness of  good  intentions  disdains  ambiguity.  I 
shall  not,  however,  multiply  professions  on  this  head. 
My  motives  must  remain  in  the  depository  of-  ray  own 
breast ;  my  arguments  will  be  open  "to  all,  and  may  be 
judged  by  "all.  They  shall  at  least  be  offered  in  -a  spirit 
which  will  not  disgrace  the  cause  of  truth." 

But  by  ingeWSSftis  and  honest  minds  his  integrity  was 
never  suspected.  His  moral  worth  was  of  an  exalted 
character,  and  his  varied  services  in  behalf  of  his  coun- 
try and  the  human  race  can  never  be  rated  too  high. 
To  him  with  the  strictest  propriety  may  be  applied  what 
Mr.  Burrowes  said  of  Grattan  :  "  His  name  silenced  the 
skeptic  upon  the  reality  of  genuine  patriotism.  To 
doubt  the  purity  of  his  motives  was  a  heresy  which  no 
tongue  dared  to  utter;  envy  was  lost  in  admiration,  and 
even  they  whose  crimes  he  scourged  blended  extorted 
praises  with  the  murmurs  of  resentment.  He  covered 
our  then  unfledged  Constitution  with  the  ample  wings  of 
his  talents,  as  the  eagle  covers  her  young ;  like  her  h« 
soared,  and  like  her  he  eould  behold  the  rays,  whether 
of  royal  favor  or  of  royal  anger,  with  undazzled,  unin- 
timidated  eye." 

To  speak  well  and  to  write  well  are  intellectual  ac- 
complishments every  where  considered  of  the  highest 
order,  and  in  Hamilton  the  combination  of  these  rare 
excellences  was  strikingly  exemplified.  Like  the  re- 


:*. 

ALEXANDER    «AMILTON.  305 

% 

nowned  Surrey,  he  was  the  most  accomplished  knight 
and  the  most  accomplished  scholar  of  his  day : 

"  Matchless  his  pen,  victorious  was  his  lance, 
Bold  in  the  lists,  and  graceful  in  the  dance." 

In  the  hall,  the  camp  and  the  forum,  Hamilton  was 
always  employed  in  teaching  the  loftiest  sentiments  of 
patriotism  and  in  executing  the  most  generous  deeds. 
When  a  whig  student  in  college,  he  secured  the  tory 
president's  safety  at  the  risk  of  his  own,  even  while  the 
stubborn  object  of  undeserved  kindness  cried  out  to  the 
mob,  "  Don't  listen  to  him,  gentlemen  !  He-  is  crazy  ! 
he  is  crazy!"  And  in  all  his  subsequent  career,  we 
"  find  him  thus  fighting  the  cause  of  reason  against 
popular  passion,  of  the  right  against  the  expedient,  and 
that,  too,,  with  the -uniform  and  very  natural  reward  of 
having  his  acts  misconstrued,  his  motives  misunderstood, 
his  language  misinterpreted,  and  himself  held  up,  if  not 
to  public,  at  least  to  party  odium,  as  a  citizen  without 
patriotism ;  an  adopted  but  not  a  filial  son  of  America ; 
branded  as  a  royalist,  because  he  wrested  from  the  law 
its  sword  of  vengeance  against  the  tories ;  as  an  Eng- 
lishman, because  he  would  not  hate  the  ancestral  land 
against  which  he  was  yet  willing  to  shed  his  blood  ;  as  a 
monarchist,  because  he  loved  not  revolutionary  France; 
as  an  enemy  to  the  people,  because  he  would  save 
them  from  their  own  mad  passions ;  and  as  a  Caesar  in 
ambition,  because  he  gave  up  his  heart  to  his  public  du- 
ties, and  ever  labored  in  them- as  men  do  in  that  which 
they  love.  But  popular  fickleness  and  political  rancor 
never  moved  him  from  his  chosen  and  conscientious 


306          ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

*? 

path.  The  motto  that  in  the  main  governed  his  whole 
life,  was,  first,  truth  and  honor,  then  the  popular  will." 

In  1795,  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight,  Hamilton  resumed 
the  practice  of  law  in  the  cky  of  New  York,  where  he 
continued  in  active  professional  pursuits  until  the  close 
of  life.  His  personal  appearance  at  that  time  is  repi'e- 
sented  as  follows  :  He  was  under  the  middle  size,  thin  in 
person,  but  remarkably  erect  and  dignified  in  his  deport- 
ment. His  hair  was  turned  back  from  his  forehead, 
powdered,  and  collected  in  a  club  behind.  His  com- 
plexion was  exceedingly  fair,  and  varying  from  this  only 
by  the  delicate  rosiness  of  his  cheeks.  In  form  and  tint 
his  face  was  considered  uncommonly  handsome.  When 
in  repose,  it  bore  a  severe  and  thoughtful  expression ; 
but  when  engaged  in  conversation,  it  immediately  as- 
sumed an  attractive  smile.  His  ordinary  costume  was 
a  blue  coat  with  bright  buttons,  the  skirts  being  un- 
usually long;  he  wore  a  white  waistcoat,  black  silk  small- 
clothes, and  white  silk  stockings.  His  appearance  and 
deportment  accorded  with  the  exalted  distinction  which, 
by  his  stupendous  public  services,  he  had  attained.  His 
voice  was  engagingly  pleasant,  and  his  whole  mien  com- 
manded the  respect  due  to  a  master-mind.  His  natural 
frankness  inspired  the  most  affectionate  attachment ; 
and  his  splendid  talents,  as  is  usual,  elicited  .the  firmest 
love  and  the  most  furious  hate. 

By  nature  Hamilton  was  a  moralist  and  metaphy- 
sician. The  axioms  of  political  sagacity  and  the  pro- 
fusion of  pointed  and  perspicuous  reflections  which 
flowed  from  his  pen,  as  well  as  from  his  lips,  gave 
an  enduring  value  to  his  works.  His  great  endowments 


fe   *• 

ALEXANDER    HAMILTON.  307 

of  disciplined  thought  and  energetic  will  imparted  to  his 
hastiest  composition  elaborate  force  and  the  grace  of 
perfection.  He  could  do  that  by  intuition  and  a  single 
blow  which  ordinary  statesmen  would  require  months  to 
ponder  and  execute.  Bold  in  his  propositions,  he  was 
inexorable  in  his  conclusions  ;  grant  him  his  premises, 
and  the  result  was  inevitable  as  fate.  He  did  rtbt 
fatigue  himself  with  profuse  skirmishes  nor  bewilder  his 
mind  in  the  labyrinth  of  a  formal  exordium  ;  but  like  an 
arrow  impelled  by  a  vigorous  bow,  he  shot  directly  to 
the  mark.  One  of  the  most  enlightened  critics  of  mo- 
dern times  has  pronounced  a  worthy  eulogium  on  him 
as  the  most  eminent  framer,  most  eloquent  defender, 
and  soundest  expositor  of  the  American  Constitution. 
"  Hamilton,"  says  Guizot,  in  his  late  work  on  the  charac- 
ter of  Washington,  "  must  be  classed  among  the  men 
who  have  best  known  the  vital  principles  and  the  funda- 
mental conditions  of  a  government;  not  of  a  govern- 
ment such  as  this,  (France,)  but  of  a  government  worthy 
of  its  mission  and  of  its  name.  There  is  not  in  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States  an  element  of  order, 
of  force,  or  of  duration,  which  he  has  "not  powerfully 
contributed  to  introduce  into  it  and  caused  to  predomi- 
nate." 

Hamilton  was  the  great  master  of  the  human  heart, 
Deeply  versed  in  its  feelings  and  motives,  he  "struck  by 
a  word,  and  it  quivered  beneath  the  blow ;  flashed  the 
lightning  glance  of  burning,  thrilling,  animated  elo- 
quence ;"  and  its  hopes  and  fears  were  moulded  to  his 
wish.  He  was  the  vivid  impersonation  of  political 
sagacity.  His  imagination  and  practical  judgment,  like 


ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

two  fleet  coursers,  ran  neck-and-neck  to  the  very  goal 
of  triumph.  Military  eloquence  of  the  highest  grade 
had  its  birth  with  liberty  in  the  American  Revolution. 
JBut  the  majority  of  our  heroes  were  not  adepts  in  lite- 
rature. They  could  conquer  tyrants  more  skillfully  than 
they  could  harangue  them.  To  this  yule,  however,  Ham- 
ilton was  a  distinguished  exception.  He  was  the  most 
sagacious  and  laborious  of  our  Revolutionary  orators. 
He  anticipated  time  and  interrogated  history  with  equal 
ease  and  ardor.  He  explored  the  archives  of  his  own 
land,  and  drew  from  foreign  courts  the  quintessence  of 
their  ministerial  wisdom.  He  illuminated  the  councils 
where  Washington  presided,  and  with  him  guarded  our 
youthful  nation  with  the  eyes  of  a  lynx  and  the  talons 
of  a  vulture. 

But  we  should  give  especial  attention  to -Hamilton  as 
a  writer.  Through  the  pen  he  wrought  more  exten- 
sively on  the  popular  mind,  perhaps,  than  by  all  the 
impressiveness  of  his  living  eloquence.  He  well  un- 
derstood the  utility  of  this  mighty  engine  for  weal  or 
woe.  The  ancient  orators  and  writers,  slowly  transcrib- 
ing their  word*  on  parchment,  breathed  in  their  little 
pipes  a  melody  for  narrow  -circles ;  but  fame  gives 
modern  thought  the  magnificent  trumpet  of  the  press, 
whose  perpetual  voice  speaks  simultaneously  to  de- 
lighted millions  at  the  remotest  points. 

It  is  .of  vast  advantage  to  a  nation  that  men  of  the 
most  elevated  positions  in  civil  affairs  should  take  a  part 
in  its  literature,  and  thus,  with  their  pen  as  well  as  by 
their  patronage,  foster  its  development  and  perfection. 
jEschylus,  the  oldest  of  the  great  tragedians  of  Greece, 


EXANDER    HAMILTON.  309 

W  .  *-if- 

*  . 

was  himself  a  soldier,  and  fought  with  heroism  in  many 
of  the  glorious  battles  of  his  country,  one  of  which  fur- 
nished the»theme  of  his  naost  celebrated  work.  Hero- 
dotus was  born  only  a  few  years  before  the  great  conflict 
with  Xerxes ;  and  Xenophon  participated  prominently  in 
the  remarkable  military  achievements  he  has  commem- 
orated. The  profoundest  scholars,  acutest  poets,  most 
masculine  heroes,  the  best  writers  and  most  sagacious 
statesmen  are  always  polished  into  enduring  elegance, 
and  fortified  with  the  best  strength  amid  the  stern 
realities  of  life. 

Such  was  Alexander  Hamilton.  He  was  the  indefa- 
tigable soldier  of  the  press,  the  pen  and  the  army ;  in 
in  each  field  he  carried  a  sword  which,  like  the  one 
borne  by  the  angel  at  the  gate  of  Paradise,  flashed  its 
guardian  care  on  every  hand.  In  martial  affairs  -he  was 
an  adept,  in  literary  excellence  be  was  unexcelled,  and 
in  political  discernment  he  was  universally  acknowledged 
to  be  superior  amdn-g  the  great.  We  read  his  writings 
with  ever-increasing  zest,  fascinated  by  the  seductive 
charms  of  his  style,  and  impelled  by  the  opening  splen- 
dors of  his  far-reaching  and  comprehensive  thoughts. 
They  accumulate  with  a  beautiful  symmetry,  and  ema.- 
nate  legitimately  from  his  theme.  They  expand  and 
grow,  as  an  acorn  rises  into  an  oak,  of  which  ^.11  the 
branches  shoot  out  of  the  same  trunk,  nourished  in  every 
part  by  the  same  sap,  and  form  a  perfect  unit,  amid  all 
the  diversified  tints  of  the  foliage  and  the  infinite  com- 
plexity of  the  boughs.  "  That  writer  would  deserve  the 
fame  of  a  public  benefactor,"  said  Fisher  Ames,  "  who 
could  exhibit  th'e  character  of  Hamilton  with  the  truth 


310  ORATORS    OF  *JHE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTItfcT.  ^ 

and  force  that  all  who  intimately  knew  him  conceived 
it ;  his  example  would  then  take  the  same  ascendant*as 
his  talents.  The  portrait  alone,  however  .exquisitely 
finished,  cquld  not  inspire  genius  where  it  is  not ;  but  if 
the  world  should  again  have  possession  of  so  rare  a  gift, 
it  might  awaken  it  where  it  sleeps,  as  by  a  spark  from 
heaven's  own  altar  ;  for  surely  if  there  is  any  thing  like 
divinity  in  man  it  is  in  his  admiration  for  virtue. 

"  The  country  deeply  laments  when  it  turns  its  eyes 
back  and  sees  what  Hamilton  was  ;  but  my  soul  stiffens 
with  despair,"  continues  Ames,  "  when  I  think  what 
Hamilton  would  have  been.  It  is  not  as  Apollo,  enchant- 
ing the  shepherds  with  his  lyre,  that  we  deplore  him  ;  it 
is  as  Hercules,  treacherously  slain  in  the  midst  of  his 
unfinished  labors,  leaving  the  world  overrun  with 
monsters." 

It  is  unnecessary  to  dwell  on  the  unrighteous  and 
fatal  event  which  robbed  Hamilton  of  lift — the  duel 
with  Aaron  Burr  at  Hoboken,  when- 

"A  Falcon,  tow'ririg  in  his  pride  of  place, 
Was  by  a  mousing  owl  hawk'd  at  and  kill'd  I1' 


^        ' 


. 

K 
CHAPTER  XII. 


FISHER  AMES, 

ORATOR  OF  GENIUS  AND  ELABORATE  BEAUTY. 

IN  the  progress  of  our  national  growth,  there  have 
been  emergencies  which  demanded  and  received  the 
patriotic  support  of  extraordinary  men.  Of  this  charac- 
ter was  the  Colonial  period,  signalized  by  the  eloquence 
and  self-sacrifice  of  Otis,  Quincy,  Henry,  Lee,  and 
Samuel  Adams.  The  era  of  the  Declaration  and  War 
of  Independence  was  one  which  demanded  wisdom  in 
council  as  well  as  valor  in  fight.  It  was  then  that  such 
heroes  as  Washington,  Warren,  Hancock,  and  John 
Adams,  appeared,  and  conducted  the  ship  of  State  through 
terrific  storms. 

But  of  not  less  importance  and  difficulty  was  that 
portion  of  our  history  which  dates  from  the  peace  of 
1783,  and  immediately  succeeds  it.  The  independence 
of  the  United  States  was  happily  confirmed,  but  the  dif- 
ficulties which  attended  this  conquest  were  far  from 
being  at  an  end.  The  new  government  went  into  ope- 
ration under  the  pressure  of  an  enormous  debt,  and  with- 
out either  a  revenue,  or  the  power  of  raising  one.  A 
long  war  had  destroyed  commerce,  and  fearfully  con- 


312          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

tracted  the  ordinary  sources  of  national  sustenance. 
The  late  army  was  unpaid,  conflicts  with  the  Indians 
still  raged,  civil  dissensions  distracted  the  borders  of  the 
country,  and  foreign  politics  exerted  a  threatening  influ- 
ence all  over  the  land.  It  was'a  crisis  which  demanded 
talents  unlike,  and,  in  their  way,  superior  to  any  that 
had  ever  before  appeared.  It  was  a  period  for  ever  mem- 
orable as  having  given  employment  and  fame  to  those 
kindred  spirits  of  masterly  endowments,  Alexander 
Hamilton  and  Fisher  Ames. 

In  sketching  the  personal  history  of  Mr.  Ames,  we 
shall  rely  mainly  for  facts  on  President  Kirkland,  as  he 
has  stated  them  in  a  biographical  notice  prefixed  to  the 
great  orator's  collected  works. 

Fisher  Ames  was  born  on  the  9th  of  April,  1758,  at 
Dedham,  about  nine  miles  from  Boston.  His  ancestors 
were  distinguished  in  England,  and  his  family  was  one  of 
the  most  respectable  in  his  native  State.  Fisher  was  the 
youngest  of  five  children.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
but  seven  years  old,  leaving  widow  and  orphans  in  pen- 
ury to  be  buffeted  by  the  storms  of  the  world.  But  the 
mother,  as  if  "  anticipating  the  future  lustre  of  the  jewel 
committed  to  her  care,"  early  resolved  to  struggle  with 
her  narrow  circumstances  in  order  to  give  this  son  a 
literary  education  ;  and  she  lived  to  see  his  eminence 
and  prosperity,  to  receive  the  expressions  of  his  filial 
piety,  and  to  weep  over  his  grave. 

Precocious  talents  are  not  usually  the  most  auspicious 
of  enduring  power,  but  in  young  Ames  they  were  neither 
feeble  nor  transient.  He  began  the  study  of  Latin 
when  but  six  years-  old.  In  1770,  soon  after  the  com- 


FISHER    AMES.  313 

pletion  of  his  twelfth  year,  he  was  admitted  to  Harvard 
College.  With  a  mind  too  immature,  perhaps,  to  receive 
the  full  benefit  to  be  derived  from  the  collegiate  course, 
his  uncommon  industry  enabled  him  to  outstrip  many 
of  his  seniors,  and  he  soon  obtained  a  high  standing. 
Even  at  this  early  period  he  was  remarkable  for  the  ta- 
lent which  afterwards  ^constituted  his  principal  claim  to 
reputation.  In  a  society  formed  among  the  students  for 
mutual  improvement  in  oratory,  Ames  was  a  favorite ; 
and  his  declamation,  says  Kirkland,  "  was  remarkable  for 
its  energy  and  propriety.  His  compositions  at  this  time 
bore  the  characteristic  stamp  which  always  marked  his 
speaking  and  writing.  They  were  sententious  and  full 
of  ornament.  In  1774,  he  received  his  degree  as 
Bachelor  of  Arts;  but  owing  to  the  disturbed  and  ex- 
cited condition  of  the  country,  his  own  youth,  and  the 
narrow  circumstances  of  his  mother,  he  did  not  enter  at 
once  upon  the  study  of  a  profession.  Meanwhile  he 
was  not  idle  ;  in  teaching  in  one  of  the  district  schools 
of  his  native  State,  he  at  the  same  time  obtained  the 
means  of  maintaining  himself,  while  leisure  was  left  him 
for  the  prosecution  of  his  favorite  studies.  All  this  time, 
he  used  afterwards  to  repeat,  he  read,  with  an  avidity 
bordering  on  enthusiasm,  almost  every  thing  within  his 
reach.  He  revised  the  Latin  classics,  which  he  had 
studied  at  College.  He  read  works  illustrating  Greek 
and  Roman  antiquities  and  the  mythology  of  the  an- 
cients ;  natural  and  civil  history,  and  some  of  the  best 
novels.  Poetry  was  both  his  food  and  luxury.  He  read 
the  principal  English  poets,  and  became  familiar  with 
Milton  and  Shakspeare,  dwelt  on  their  beauties,  and 
14 


314  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMEKICAN    REVOLUTION. 

fixed  passages  of  peculiar  excellence  in  his  memory. 
He  had  a  high  relish  for  the  works  of  Virgil,  and  at  this 
time  could  repeat  considerable  portions  of  the  Eclogues 
and  Georgics,  and  most  of'  the  touching  and  splendid 
passages  of  the  ^Eneid.  This  multifarious,  though,  for 
want  of  a  guide,  indiscriminate,  and,  probably,  in  some 
instances,  ill-directed  reading,  must  have  contributed  to 
extend  and  enrich  the  mind  of  the  young  student.  It 
helped  to  supply  that  fund  of  materials'  for  speaking  and 
writing- which  he  possessed  in  singular  abundance  ;  and 
hence  partly  he  derived  his  remarkable  fertility  of  allu- 
sion, his  ability  to  evolve  a  train  of  imagery  adapted  to 
every  subject  of  which  he  treated." 

Mr.  Ames,  having  studied  law  in  the  office  of  William 
Tudor,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  commenced  the  practice  of  that 
profession  at  Dedham,  his  native  place,  in  1781.  He 
entered  warmly  into  the  struggle  for  Independence, 
although  quite  young,  and  his  talents  were  soon  both 
recognized  and  employed  by  his  fellow  citizens. 

To  devise  some  means  for  the  relief  of  the  general 
distress,  occasioned  by  the  great  depreciation  of  the  pa- 
per currency  of  that  day,  a  convention  of  delegates 
from  every  part  of  the  State  assembled  at  Concord.  Mr. 
Ames  was  chosen  to  represent  his  town  at  that  meeting. 
In  a  lucid  and  eloquent  speech  he  demonstrated  the  fu- 
tility of  the  measures  at  first  proposed,  and,  at  that  early 
period,  rendered  himself  a  debater  of  much  note. 

The  fame  which  followed  his  early  efforts  conduced 
t*  place  him  in  the  Massachusetts  Convention  for  rati- 
fying the  Constitution,  in  1788.  From  this  sphere,  in 
which  he  made  a  deep  impression  by  some  of  his  speeches, 


*• 


FISHER.   AMES.  315 

particularly  that  on  biennial  elections,  he  passed  to  the 
House  of  Representatives  in  the  State  Legislature. 
Here,  he  soon  became  so  eminent  as  an  orator  and  man 
of  business,  that  the  voters  of  the  Suffolk  District  elected 
him  their  first  representative  in  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States.  He  had  not  been  long  in  that  assembly 
before  his  friends  and  admirers  were  satisfied  that  they 
had  not  overrated  his  abilities  and  claims  on  their  sup- 
port. He  won  there  the  palm  of  eloquence,  besides 
proving  himself  equal  to  the  discussion  of  the  profoundest 
subjects  of  politics  and  finance,  and  the  execution  of  the 
most  arduous  committee  labors.  He  remained  in  Con- 
gress during  the  whole  of  Washington's  administration, 
which  he  constantly  and  zealously  defended. 

Having  thus  rapidly  traced  Mr.  Ames  from  his  birth 
to  the  exalted  position  he  in  the  maturity  of  his  life  at- 
tained, let  us  more  minutely  analyze  and  examine  the 
elements  of  his  character  as  an  orator,  a  patriot,  and  a 
man. 

Fisher  Ames,  among  the  great  men  of  his  day,  was-the 
orator  of  genius  and  elaborate  beauty.  Genius  is  the  power 
of  hard  thinking.  The  two  simple  words  which  Newton 
employed  to  explain  his  own  greatness,  are  "  patient 
thought."  The  faculty  of  which  we  now  speak,  and  which 
our  countryman  largely  possessed,  is  an  aggregate  in 
which  imagination,  intelligence,  and  sentiment,  are  equal- 
ly elevated  and  exactly  combined.  It  is  a  soul  whose 
glance  penetrates  exalted  ideas,  and  whose  skill  can  em- 
body them  in  marble,  in  brass,  in  speech,  and  in  writing ; 
communicating,  to  each  offspring  of  the  intellect  a  power 
from  the  heart,  which,  in  turn,  hurls  it  all  living  into  the 


316          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

hearts  of  others.  Genius  is  the  most  beautiful  endow- 
ment, and  the  most  indomitable  force  possessed  by  man- 
kind; one  can  despoil  man  of  rank,  or  of  fortune,  but 
genius  is  invulnerable.  It  is  the  greatest  among  finite 
powers;  an  intuition  vast  and  subtle  to  perceive  the 
relations  that  unite  all  gradations  of  being,  a  limpid  lake 
wherein  God  and  the  universe  are  reflected  with  as 
much  brilliancy  of  tint  as  splendor  of  light.  When  em- 
ployed by  those  who  are  richly  endowed,  it  is  the  faculty 
of  rendering  ideas  visible  to  those  who  are  not  blessed 
with  native  vision  to  discover  for  themselves ;  it  makes 
thought  palpable  in  bold  imagery,  and  imbues  it  with  a 
power  to  touch,  enlighten  and  subjugate,  analagous  to 
what  one  experiences  when  love  comes  to  seize  our  at- 
tention and  command  our  will. 

In  the  ideals  which  genius  creates,  we  meet  with  no 
dry  mechanism,  but  an  organic  nature  throbbing  with 
the  highest  pulsations  of  life.  Its  offspring  emanate 
from  the  inmost  depth  of  the  soul,  and  unfold  with  won- 
drous charms  peculiar  to  each,  like  words  fresh  from  the 
hand  of  God.  Every  mind  endowed  with  high  creative 
power,  is  a  mystery  standing  by  itself,  a  flower  from 
Paradise,  redolent  of  fragrance  a-nd  perpetually  blossom- 
ing with  original  charms,  but  for  ever  unmingled  with 
others  and  unexplained.  Who  can  ever  mistake  the 
spirit  of  beauty  that  hovers  over  Raphael's  pictures,  and 
who  can  ever  analyze  its  power  ?  Who  has  not  been 
moved  by  the  intellectual  breath,  the  inner  charm  of 
soul,  that  reigns  in  Shakesperean  creations,  and  yet  who 
can  define  the  influence  which  compels  us  to  shudder  or 
shout  when  we  contemplate  their  features  and  feel  their 


FISHER    AMES.  317 

touch  ?  We  believe  that  geuius  is  taste  in  its  greatest 
perfection,  formed  by  long  practice  on  the  best  models 
and  so  disciplined  as  to  create  excellence  with  sponta- 
neous ease.  Sophocles,  speaking  of  his  great  predeces- 
sor in  the  tragic  art,  said  very  happily :  "  ^Eschylus  does 
what  is  right  without  knowing  it."  These  few  words 
explain  all  that  it  is  possible  to  understand  respecting 
powerful  genius  seemingly  unconscious  of  its  powers. 

All  ingenuous  readers  of  the  works  of  Mr.  Ames,  will 
concur  with  those  who  heard  him  in  public  and  in  pri- 
vate, in  accrediting  to  hirh  a  -mind  of  high  order,  in 
many  respects  of  the  highest,  and  that  he  has  a  just 
claim  to  the  honors  of  genius;  that  quality,  to  use  his 
own  words,  "without  which  judgment  is  cold  aad 
knowledge  inert ;  that  energy,  which  collects,  combines, 
amplifies,  and  animates."  In  presenting  his  idea  of  this 
power,  he  would  not  liken  it  to  a  conflagration  on  the 
mountains,  consuming  its  fuel  in  its  flame  ;  but  would 
represent  it  as  a  spark  of  elemental  fire  that  is  un- 
quenchable, the  cotemporary  of  this  creation,  and  des- 
tined with  the  human  soul  to  survive  it.  "Genius  feels 
the  power  it  exerts,  and  its  emotions  are  contagious  be- 
cause they  are  fervid  and  sincere.  As  well  might  the 
stars  of  heaven  be  said  to  expand  their  substance  by 
their  lustre,  as  that  genius  becomes  exhausted  by  the 
offshoots  of  its  splendor." 

But,  Avhile  her  could  more  safely  trust  to  his  native  re- 
sources than  most  men,  Mr.  Ames  never  neglected  to 
subordinate  the  labors  of  other  men  to  his  use.  "  With 
the  dews  of  life  in  his  brimming  urn,"  he  early  formed 
a  passionate  attachment  to  books ;  and  this  strong  lore 


318  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

he  cherished  through  his  whole  life.  He  was  particular- 
ly fond  of  moral  philosophy,  but  explored  history  with 
most  enthusiastic  zeal.  He  read  Herodotus,  Thucydi- 
des,  Livy,  Tacitus,  Plutarch,  and  the  modern  historians 
of  Greece  and  Rome.  English  history  he  studied  almost 
constantly,  and  mastered  beyond  most  men.  Hence  he 
possessed  a  great  amount  of  historical  information  which 
was  always  at  command  both  in  writing  and  oral  de- 
bate. His  biographer  says  that  "  he  was  accustomed  to 
read  the  Scriptures,  not  only  as  containing  a  system  of 
truth  and  duty,  but  as  displaying  in  their  poetical  parts, 
all  that  is  sublime,  animated,  and  affecting  in  composi- 
tion*." He  was  a  devout  admirer  of  the  ancient  classics, 
and  especially  of  the  poets.  Homer  he  often  perused, 
and  read  Virgil  with  constantly  increased  delight. 
Ames  had  all  of  Plato's  admiration  for  the  beauty  of 
verse,  but  would  have  been  less  stern  in  legislating 
against  the  children  of  the  muses.  The  latter  banished 
poets  from  his  ideal  republic,  but  he  directed  "that  they 
should  be  crowned  with  flowers  and  conducted  to  the 
gates  of  the  city,  with  the  music  of  harps,  in .  honor  of 
that  ray  of  divinity  which  they  possessed,  though  he 
wished  not  to  accept  of  their  domination. 
-  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds  thought  that  excellence  of  the 
highest  order  may  be  acquired.  But  this  theory  of  indus- 
try, so  essential  to  genius,  yet  so  useless  without  it,  never 
produced  a  Corregio  or  Demosthenes.  Still,  nothing  can 
be  more  incorrect  than  to  suppose,  that  genius  needs  no 
study.  Goethe  rose  early  every  morning,  and  studied 
closely  the  whole  day.  Leibnitz  confined  himself  to  his 
tasks  for  weeks  together.  Though  it  must  be  admitted 


FISHER    AMES.  319 

that  Shakspeare  had  not-  a  complete  education,  his 
works  show  a  vast  amolint  of  knowledge  which  must 
have  cost  him  much  research.  He  lived  in  an  age 
highly  favorable  to  poetry,  and  which  cultivated  the 
great  poet  much  more  than  a  practical  ^e  like  ours.  It 
was  an  era  fuH  of  romantic  thought  and  the  quick  in- 
stincts of  this  master  of  the  heart  readily  absorbed  its 
richest  treasures. 

The  influence  of  genius  pervades  a  wide  area  and 
effects  all  susceptible  intellects  according  to  the  prevail- 
ing tendencies  and  peculiar  endowments  of  each.  In 
Elizabeth's  day,  the  light  of  inspiration  came  from  Italy, 
and  it  deeply  toned  the  very  atmosphere  in  which  the 
literati  breathed.  More  recently,  the  influence  of  Ger- 
many has  gained  ascendancy  and  has  been  reproduced 
in  every  department  of  literature.  Genius  was  reflective 
with  Coleridge,  chivalrous  with  Scott,  impassioned  with 
Byron,  and  fiery  to  extreme  in  Campbell's  thrilling  melo- 
dies. But  in  every  form,  genius  is  the  same — the 
ethereal  soul  of  beauty  aad  sublimity,  which  refines  the 
gross  and  modulates  the  inharmonious,  even  as  an 
^Eolian  harp  arrests  the  vagrant  winds  and  transforms 
them  into  enchanting  strains.  The  atmosphere  in 
which  Ames  was  born  and  educated  was  fervid  patriot- 
ism ;  this  he  imbibed  into  his  fine-toned  nature  and^re- 
produced  in  the  loftiest  and  most  elaborate  eloquence, 

"  Thy  words  had  such  a  melting  flow, 

And  spoke  of  truth  so  sweetly  well, 
They  dropp'd  like  heaven's  serenest  snow, 
And  all  was  brightness  where  they  fell." 

Being  thus  endowed,  we  can  understand  how  it  was 


320          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

that  Mr.  Ames  produced  so  many  original  combinations, 
resemblances  and  contrasts  which  none  saw  before-,  but 
on  being  presented,  were  immediately  pronounced  just 
and  striking.  Says  President  Kirkland  : 

"  As  a  speaktr  and  as  a  writer  he  had  the  power  to 
enlighten  and  persuade,  to  move,  to  please,  to  charm,  to 
astonish.  He  united  those  decorations  that  belong  to 
fine  talents  to  that  penetration  and  judgment  that  desig- 
nate an  acute  and  solid  mind.  Many  of  his  opinions 
have  the  authority  of  predictions  fulfilled  and  fulfilling. 
He  had  the  ability  of  investigation,  and,  where  it  was 
necessary,  did  investigate  with  patient  attention,  going 
through  a  series  of  observation  and  deduction,  and 
tracing  the  links  which  connect  one  truth  with  another. 
When  the  result  of  his  researches  was  exhibited  in  dis- 
course, the  steps  of  a  logical  process  were  in  some  mea- 
sure concealed  by  the  coloring  of  rhetoric.  Minute 
calculations  and  dry  details  were  employments,  however, 
the  least  adapted  to  his  peculiar  construction  of  mind. 
It  was  easy  and  delightful  for  him  to  illustrate  by  a  pic- 
ture, but  painful  and  laborious  to  prove  by  a  diagram. 
It  was  the  prerogative  of  his  mind  to  discern  by  a 
glance,  so  rapid  as  to  seem  intuition,  those  truths  which 
common  capacities  struggle  hard  to  apprehend  ;  and  it 
was  the  part  of  his  eloquence  to  display,  expand,  and 
enforce  them. 

"  His  imagination  was  a  distinguishing  feature  of  his 
mind.  Prolific,  grand,  sportive,  original,  it  gave  him 
the  command  of  Jiature  and  art,  and  enabled  him  to  vary 
the  disposition  and  the  dress  of  his  ideas  without  end. 
Now  it  assembled  most  pleasing  images,  adorned  with 


FISHER    AMES.  321 

all  that  is  -soft  and  beautiful ;  and  now  rose  in  the  storm, 
wielding  the  elements  and  flashing  with  the  most  awful 
splendors." 

Mr.  Ames  had  a  distinguished  share  in  all  the  great 
measures  which  were  discussed  in  Congress  during  the 
eight  years  of  his  membership.  His  speeches  on  Mr. 
Madison's  resolutions,  and  on  the  appropriation  for  the 
British  treaty,  claim  particular  notice.  The  latter  consti- 
tuted the  most  renowned  act  of  his  life.  His  health  was 
feeble,  but  the  magnitude  of  the  dangers  which  he  be- 
lieved threatened  the  country  inspired  him  with  ex- 
traordinary animation.  The  speech  he  thea  made 
abounded  in  the  mosl  elevated  notions  of  national 
honor,  and  in  the  most  impassioned  appeals  to  the  pa- 
triotism and  reason  of  his  hearers.  During  its  delivery, 
a  crowded  house  listened  with  the  most  profound  atten- 
tion ;  and  when  in  conclusion  he  alluded,  in  a  touching 
manner,  "to  his  own  slender  and  almost  broken  hold 
upon  life,"  the  audience  was  moved  to  tears.  As  he 
took  his  seat,  the  question  was  loudly  called  for;  but 
the  opposition  dreaded  the  effects  of  a  speech  so  hostile 
to  their  views,  and  one  of  its  members  moved  that  the 
decision  of  the  question  be  postponed  to  the  ensuing  day, 
lest  they  should  act  under  the  influence  of  feelings  which 
their  cajm  judgment, might  condemn.  The  eloquence 
of  Ames  on  this  great  occasion,  and  the  motion  in. re- 
spect to  it,  were  the  same  as  in  the  famous  instance  of 
the  great  English  orator  at  the  close  of  his  impeach- 
ment of  Warren  Hastings. 

This  speech  on  the  British  Treaty  affords  the  best 
specimens  of  his  style.  He  speaks  of  the  power  of  pre- 
14* 


322          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

judiced  nations  as  follows:  ""They  are  higher  than  a 
Chinese  wall  in  truth's  Way,  and  built  of  materials  that 
are  indestructible.  While  this  remains,  it  is  in  vain  to 
argue ;  it  is  in  vain  to  say  to  this  mountain,  be  thou 
cast  into  the  sea.  For,  I  ask  of  the  men  of  knowledge 
of  the  world,  whether  they  would  not  hold  him  for  a 
blockhead,  that  should  hope  to  prevail  in  an  argument, 
whose  scope  and  object  is  to  mortify  ths  self-love  of  the 
expected  proselyte  ?  I  ask  further,  when  such  attempts 
have  been  made,  have  they  not  foiled  of  success  ?  The 
indignant  heart  repels  a  conviction  that  is  believed  to 
debase  it." 

Instances  of  this  sententiousness  so  peculiar  to  this 
orator  frequently  occur.  As  specimens,  take  the  follow- 
ing :  "  Evil  to  a  fatal  extreme,  if  that  be  its  tendency, 
requires  no  proof,  it  brings  it.  Extremes  speak  for 
themselves  and  make  their  own  larw." 

"It  is  the  prerogative  of  folly  alone  to  maintain  both 
sides  of  a  proposition.  Shame  should  Blister  their 
tongue,  and  infamy  tingle  in  their  ears." 

Sometimes  with  a  few -strokes  of  his  pencil,  he  sug- 
gests a  fearful  scene.  For  example  :  "  Before  we  re- 
solve to  leap  into  this  abyss,  so  dark  and  so  profound,  it 
becomes  us  to  pause  and  reflect  upon  such  of  the  dan- 
gers as  are  obvious  and  inevitable.  If  the  assembly 
should  be  wrought  into  a  tempest  to  defy  these  conse- 
quences, it  is  in  vain,  it  is  deceptive,  to  pretend  that  we 
can  escape  them." 

Mr.  Ames  always  entertained  the  most  jealous  fears 
with  respect  to  the  dangers  of  anarchy.  Speaking  on 
that  topic,  he  presents  a  specimen  of  the  highly  figura- 


FISHER    AMBS.  323 

tive  style  in  which  it  was  so  natural  and  common  for 
him  to  indulge.  "  A"  mobdcracy  is  always  usurped  by 
the  worst  men  in  the  "most  corrupt  times;  in  a  period  of 
violence  by  the  most  violent.  It  is  a  Briareus  with  a 
thousand  hands,  each  bearing  a  dagger;  a  Cerberus 
gaping  with  her  thousand  throats  all  parched  and  thirst- 
ing for  fresh  blood.  It  is  a  genuine  tyranny,  but  of  all 
the  least  durable,  yet  the  most  destructive  while  it  lasts. 
The  power  of  a  despot,  Kke  the  ardor  of  a  summer's  sun, 
dries  up  the  grass,  but  the  roots  remain  fresh  in  the  soil; 
a  mob-government,  like  a  West  Indra  hurrierane,  in- 
stantly strews  the  fruitful  earth  with  promiscuous  ruins, 
and  turns  the  sky  yellow  with  pestilence.  Men  inhale 
a  vapor  like  a  Sirocco,  and  die  m  the  open  air  for 
want  of  respiration.  It  is  a  winged  curse  that  envelopes 
the  obscure  as  well  as  the  distinguished,  and  is  wafted 
into  the  lurking  places  of  the  fugitives.  It  is  not  doing 
justice  to  licentiousness,  to  compare  it  to  a  wind  which 
ravages  the  surface  of  the  earth;  it  is  an  earthquake 
that  loosens  its  foundations,  burying  in  an  hour  the  ac- 
cumulated wealth  and  wisdom  of  ages.  Those,  who, 
after  the  calamity,  would  re-construct  the  edifice  of  the 
public  liberty,  will  be  scarcely  able  to  find  the  model  of 
the  artificers-,  or  even  the  ruins.  Mountains  have  split 
and  filled  the  fertile  valleys,  covering  them  with  rocks 
and  gravet;  rivers  have  changed  their  beds ;  populous 
towns  have  sunk,  leaving  only  frightful  chasms,  out  of 
which  are  creeping  the  remnant  of  living  wretches,  the 
monuments  and  the  victims  of  despair." 

This  profusion  of  imagery  may  offend  the  taste  of 
phlegmatic  persons.     It   is  not  uncommon   for  frigid 


324  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

critics  to  be  dissatisfied,  while  enthusiastic  throngs  are 
charmed.  In  the  productions  of  Mr.  Ames,  it  is  certain 
that  there  was  great  energy  and  quickness  of  conception, 
an  inexhaustible  fertility  which  sometimes  superabounds 
in  ornament.  A  wise  reviewer  has  said : 

"  Image  crowded  upon  image  in  his  mind,  he  is  not 
chargeable  with  affectation  in  the  use  of  figurative  lan- 
guage; his  tropes  are  evidently  prompted  by  imagina- 
tion, and  not  forced  into  his  service.  Their  novelty 
and  variety  create  constant  surprise  aad  delight.  But 
they  are,  perhaps,  too  lavishly  employed.  The  fancy 
of  his  hearers  is  sometimes  overplied  with  stimulus,  and 
the  importance  of  the  thought  liable  to  be  concealed  in 
the  multitude  and  beauty  of  the  metaphors.  His  con- 
densation of  expression  may  be  thought  to  produce 
occasional  abruptness.  -  He  aimed  rather  at  the  terse- 
ness, strength,  and  vivacity  of  the  short  sentence,  than 
the  dignity  of  the  full  and  flowing  period.  His  style  is 
conspicuous  for  sententious  brevity,  for  antithesis  and 
point.  Single  ideas  appear  with  so  much  lustre  and 
prominence,  that  the  connection  of  the  several  parts  of 
his  discourse  is  not  always  obvious  to  the  common 
mind,  and  the  aggregate  impression  of  the  composition 
is  not  always  completely  obtained.  In  those  respects 
where  his  peculiar  excellencies  came  near  to  defects, 
he  is  rather  to  be  admired  than  imitated." 

But  fire  and  fancy  are  not  incompatible  with  truth 
and  wisdom.  Lord  Chatham's  reply  to  Mr.  Pelham,  when 
taunted  on  this  ground,  was  very  just.  "  What  the 
gentleman  on  the  other  side  means  by  long  harangues, 
or  flowers  of  rhetoric,  I  shall  not  pretend  to  determine ; 


FISHER    AMES.  325 

but  if  they  make  use  of  nothing  of  .the  kind,  it  is  no  very 
good  argument  of  their  sincerity,  because  a  man  who 
speaks  from  his  heart  and  is  sincerely  affected  with  the 
subject  upon  which  he  speaks,  as  every  honest  man 
must  be  when  he  speaks  in  the  cause  of  his-  country, 
such  a  man,  I  say,  falls  naturally  into  expressions  which 
may  be  called  flowers  of  rhetoric,  and,  therefore,  deserves 
as  little  to  be  charged  with  affectation  as  the  most  stupid 
serjeant-at-law  that  ever  spoke  for  a  half-guinea  fee." 
It  is  evident  that  Mr%  Ames  was  better  adapted  to 
the  senate  than  the  bar.  "  It  was  easy  and  delightful  to 
him  to  illustrate  by  a  picture,  but  painful  and  laborious 
to  prove  by  a  diagram."  Genius  sees  by  intuition, 
illustrates  by  pictures,  and  speaks  in  music.  The 
phraseology  in  which  its  sentiments  are  clothed,  is  not 
a  kind  of  patch-work  laboriously  tagged  together,  but  is 
part  and  parcel  of  the  thought,  and  is  bom  mature  and 
splendid,  like  Minerva  glittering  from  the  brow  of  Jove. 
But  of  the  great  effects  produced  by  Mr.  Ames  through 
his  living  tones  and  impressive  action,  we  c«,n  form  no 
adequate  conception  from  the  comparatively  lifeless 
matter  of  his  printed  works. 

"There's  a  charm  indeliv'ry,  a  magical  art, 
That  thriilsj  like  a^kiss,  ffotn  the  li-p  to  the  heart; 
'Tis  the  glance — the  expression — the  well-chesen  word—- 
By whose  magic  the  depths  of  the  spirit  are  stirr'd —  . 
The  smile — the  mute  gesture — the  soul-stirring  pause  — 
The  eye's  sweet  expression,  that  melts  while  it  awes — 
The  lip's  soft  persuasion — its  musical  tone  : 
Oh !  such  were  the  charms  of  that  eloquent  one  !" 

We  have  glanced  at  Fisher  Ames  as  an  orator,  let  us 


ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

in  passing,  contemplate  him  a  moment  in  the  character 
of  a  patriot.  He  very  early  became  distinguished,  not 
less  by  the  power  of  his  pen  than  by  the  splendor  of  his 
living  eloquence.  Abhorring  the  excesses  of  the  French 
Revolution,  he  feared  the-  hold  which  France  had  upon 
the  sympathies  of  America.  He  foresaw  the  downfall 
of  the  federalist  party,  to  which  he  was  zealously 
attached,  and  he  dreaded  lest  the  country  should  perish 
with  k.  But  time  has  shown  that  his  fears,  and  the 
fears  of  many  other  good  men,  on  this  score  were 
unfounded.  Repeated  experience  confirms  the  belief 
that  changes  of  party  tend  to  preserve  the  Union  rather 
than  destroy  it. 

If  Mr.  Ames  was  excessively  fearful  as  to  the  purity 
and  permanency  of  the  young  republic,  it  ought  not  on 
this  account  to  be  inferred  that  he  was  insincere  or 
wanting  in  patriotism.  Such  an  imputation  is  disproved 
by  his  own  strong  and  explicit  declaration.  "  I  detest 
the.  man  and  disdain  the  spirit,  which  can  bend  to  a 
mean  subserviency  to  any  foreign  nation.  It  is  enough 
to  be  Americans ;  that  character  comprehends  our 
duties,  and  o*ught  to  engage  our  attachments."  He  did 
not  love  his  own  country  less,  but  he  hated  foreign 
politics  more.  He  beheld,  he  said,  in  the  French  Revo- 
lution, a  "a  despotism  of  the  mob  or  the  military  from  the 
first,  and  hypocrisy  of  morals  to  the  last."  Impelled  by 
a  zeal  that  was  doubtless  honest,  though  sometimes 
gloomy  to  excess,  he  kept  his  pen  busy  in  the  defence 
of  his  political  views,  even  when  sickness  had  withdrawn 
him  from  forensic  strife.  In  the  character  of  "  Lucius 
Junius  Brutus,"  he  wrote  a  series  of  powerful  essays  to 


PISHER    AMES.  327 

animate  the  government  of  his  Country  to  decision  arid 
energy ;  and  after  the  Revolutionary  storm  subsided,  as 
"Camillus,"  he  taught  the  nation  to  profit  by  the  dan- 
gers it  had  passed.  "The  eloquence  of  the  tongue  and 
the  pen  are  not  often  combined  in  the  s&me  man;  but 
Ames  was  alike  eminent  in  both. 

We  have  already  presented  several  extracts  from  his 
great  speech  on  the  British  Treaty,  as  specimens  of  his 
style  and  eloquence.  We  will  draw  still  farther  from 
the  same  source,  in  order  to  present  in  Mr.  Ames'  own 
language  one  or  two  exemplifications  of  his  spirit  as  a 
patriot.  Said  he,  "A  treaty  of  amity  is  condemned, 
because  it  is  not  made  by  a  foe,  and  in  the  spif  it  of  one. 
— I  lHte  this,  sir,  because  it  is  sincerity.  With  feelings 
such  as  these,  we  do  not  pant  for  treaties.  Such 
passions  seek  nothing,  and  wifl  be  Contented  with 
nothing,  but  the  destruction  of  their  object.  If  a  treaty 
left  King-  George  his  island,  it  would  not  Answer ;  not 
if  he  stipulated  to  pay  rent  for  it.  It  has  been  said,  that 
we  onght  to  rejoice  if  Britain  were  sunk  in  the  sea  ;•  'if 
where  there  are  now  men,  and  wealth,  and  laws,  and 
liberty,  there  were  nothing  more  than  a  sand-bank  for 
the  sea-monsters  to  fatten  on ;  a  space  for  the  storms 
of  the  ocean  to  mingle  in  conflict." 

Ames  entertained  exalted  and  worthy  views  respect- 
ing political  integrity  and  national  honor.  "  If,"  said  he, 
"  there  could  be  a  resurrection  from  the  foot  of  the  gal- 
lows, if  the  victims  of  justice  could  live  again,  collect 
together  and  form  a  society,  they  would,  however 
loath,  soon  find  themselves  obliged  to  make  justice,  that 
justice  under  which  they  fell,  the  fundamental  law  of 


328          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

their  State.  They  would  perceive  it  was  their  interest 
to  make  others  respect,  and  they  would  therefore  soon 
pay  some  respect  themselves  to  the  obligations  of  good 
faith."  It  is.  thus  that  he  goes  on  to  deprecate  the 
existence  of  bigotry  and  intrigue  in  our  relations  with 
foreign  nations.  "  For,"  exclaims  he,  "  What  is  patriot- 
ism ?  Is  it  narrow  affection  for  the  spot  where  a  man 
was  born  ?  Are  the  very  clods  where  we  tread  entitled 
to  this  ardent  preference  because  they  are.  greener  ?  No, 
sir,  this  is  not  the  character  of  the  virtue,  and  it  soars 
higher  for  its  object.  It  is  an  extended  self-love,  min- 
gling with  all  the  enjoyments  of  life,  and  twisting  itself 
with  the  minutest  filaments  of  the  heart. 

It  is  thus  we  obey  the  laws  of  society,  because  they 
are  the  laws  of  virtue.  In  their  authority,  we  see,  not 
the  array  of  force  and  terror,  but  the  venerable  image 
of  our  country's  honor.  Every  good,  citizen  makes  that 
honor  his  own,  and  cherishes  it  not  only  as  precious,  but 
as-sacred.  He  is  willing  to  risk  his  life  in  its  defence, 
and  is  conscious  that  he  gaias  protection  while  he 
gives  it. 

•For,  what  rights  of  a  citizen  will  be  deemed  inviola- 
ble, when  a  State  renounces  the  principles  that  con- 
stitute their  security  ?  Or,  if  his  life  should  not  be 
invaded,  what  would  its  enjoy merrts  be  in  a  country 
odious  in  the  eyes  of  strangers,  and  dishonored  in  its 
own  ?  Could  he  look  with  affection  and  veneration  to- 
such  a  country  as  his  parent  ?  The  sense  of  having 
one  would  die  within  hkn ;  he  would  blush  for  his  pa- 
triotism, if  he  retained  any,  and  justly,  for  it  would  be  a 
vice.  He  would  be  a  banished  man  in  his  native  land." 


FISHER    AMES.  329 

At  the  close  of  the  session,  in  the  spring  of  1796, 
*  Mr.  Ames  travelled  in  Virginia  for  his  health.  At 
this  time  the  college  of  New  Jersey  expressed  their 
estimation  of  his  public  worth  by  conferring  on  him  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws.  He  gained  sufficient  strength 
to  attend  the  next  session  of  Congress,  though  with 
rapidly  decreasing  health.  He  was  chairman  of  the 
committee  which  reported  the  answer  to  Washington's 
speech.  This  answer  contained  a  most  affectionate  and 
appropriate  allusion  to  the  President's  declaration,  that 
he  now  stood  for  the  last  time  in  their  presence.  In 
conclusion,  it  said ;  "  for  your  country's  sake,  for  the 
sake  of  republican  liberty,  it  ie  our  earnest  wish,  that 
your  example  may  be  the  guide  of  your  successors,  and 
thus,  after  being  the  ornament  and  safeguard  of  the  pre- 
sent age,  become  the  patrimony  of  our  descendants." 

The  session  being  terminated,  Mr.  Ames,  having  de- 
clined a  re-election,  retired  to  his  favorite  residence  at 
Dedham,  to  enjoy  repose  in  the  bosom  of  his  family, 
amid  those  rural  occupations  in  which  he  greatly  de- 
lighted. 

Having  rapidly  sketched  the  character  of  Fisher 
Ames  as  an  orator  and  patriot,  it  remains  briefly  to 
speak  of  him  as  a  man.  Kirkland  says  :  "  Happily,  he 
did  not  need  the  smart  of  guilt  to  make  him  virtuous, 
nor  the  regret  of  folly  to  make  him  wise.  His  spotles^ 
youth  brought  blessing  to  the  whole  remainder  of  his 
life.  It  gave  him  the  entire  use  of  his  faculties,  and  all 
the  fruit  of  his  literary  education.  Its  effects  appeared 
in  that  fine  edge  of  moral  feeling  which  he  always  pre- 


330  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

^  *-  *t* 

served  *  ift  his  strict  and  often  austere  temperance ;  in 
his  love  of  occupation,  that  made  activity  delight;  in 
his  distaste  for  public  diversions,  and  his  preference  of 
simple  pleasures.  Beginning  well,  he  advanced  with 
unremitted  steps  in  the  race  of  virtue,  and  arrived  at 
the  end  of  life  in  peace  and  honor.  The  objects  of  re- 
ligion presented  themselves  with  a  strong  interest  to  his 
mind.  The  relation  of  the  world  to  its  author,  and  of 
this  life  to  a  retributory  scene  in  another,  could  not  be 
contemplated  by  him  without  the  greatest  solemnity. 
He  felt  it  his  duty  and  interest  to  inquire,  and  discovered 
on  the  side  of  faith  a  fullness  of  evidence  little  s-hort  of 
demonstration.  At  about  thirty-five  he  made  a  public 
profession  of  his  belief  in  the  Christian  religion,  and 
was  a  regular  attendant  on  its  services.'' 

In  1804,  Mr.  Ames  was  chosen  president  of  Harvard 
College, — an  honor  which  ill  health  compelled  him  to 
decline.  When  Washington  died,  he  was  appointed  to 
pronounce  his  eulogy  before  the  legislature  of  Massachu- 
setts, a  duty  which  he  performed  with  distinguished  suc- 
cess. The  theme  seemed  to  inspire  him  with  a  primitive 
glow  of  eloquence'.  It  was  almost  the  last  public  service 
he  performed,  and  a  fitting  close  to  a  brilliant  and  useful 
career.  His  energies  rapidly  declined,  until,  after  an 
extreme  debility  for  two  years,  death  at  length  ended 
his  sufferings.  He  expired,  July  4th,  1808.  His  remains 
were  carried  to  Boston,  where  they  were  interred  with 
honors  such  as  had  never  before  been  accorded  to  a  pri- 
vate  citizen.  To  such  a  man,  having  performed  such 
services, 


FISHER    AMES.  331 

T* 

"  Death  is  the  crown  of  life  : 
Were  death  denied,  poor  man  would  live  in  Vain. 
Death  wounds  to  cure  :  we  fall,  we  rise,  we  reign ; 
Spring  from  our  fetters,  fasten  to  the  skies, 
Where  blooming  Eden  withers  from  our  sight. 
This  king  of  terrors  is  the  prince  of  peace." 

Those  who  were  familiar  with  the  person  of  Mr. 
Ames,  represent  him  as  being  above  middle  stature,' 
and  well  formed.  His  features  were  not .  strongly 
marked.  Hjs  forehead  was  neither  high  nor  expansive. 
His  eyes  were  blue  and  of  middling  size ;  his  mouth  was 
handsome;  his  hair  was  black,  and  short  OH  the  fore- 
head, and,  in  his  latter  years,  un powdered.  He  was 
very  erect,  and  when  speaking  he  raised  his  .head.  His 
expression  was  usually  complacent,  when  in  debate,  and 
if  he  meant  to  be  severe,  it  was  seen  in  good-natured 
sarcasm,  rather  than  in  acrimonious  words.  It  was 
said  that  the  beautiful  productions  of  bis  pen  were  the 
first  flow  of  his  mind,  and  hardly  corrected  for  the  press. 
"  In  public  speaking  he  trusted  much  to  excitement,  and 
did  little  more  in  his  closet  than  to  draw  the  outlines  of 
his  speech  and  reflect  on  it,  till  he  had  received  deeply 
the.  impressions  he  intended  to  make  ;  depending  for  the 
turns  and  figures  of  language,  illustrations  and  modes  of 
appeal  to  the  passions,  on  his  imagination  and  feelings 
at  the  time.  This  excitement  continued,  when  the 
cause  had  ceased  to  operate.  After  debate  his  mind  was 
agitated,  like  the  ocean  after  a  storm,  and  his  nerves 
were  like  the  shro'uds  of  a  ship  torn  by  the  tempest."^ 
Such,  in  brief,  were  the  appearance  and  mental  habits 
of  the  great  man, 


ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

"  Whose  eloquence  brightening  whatever  it  tried, 

Whether  reason  or  fancy,  the  gay  or  the  grave, 
Was  as  rapid,  as  deep,  and  as  brilliant  a  tide, 
As  ever  bore  freedom  aloft  QJI  its  wave !" 

The  training  preparatory  to  public  life  which  Fisher 
Ames  experienced,  was  thorough  and  comprehensive. 
In  moral  worth  he  was  excelled  by  no  statesman  of  his 
day.  His  yduth  was  studious,  and  his  whole  life  was 
consecrated  to  the  highest  cultivation.  He  has  himself 
said,  "  The  heart  is  more  than  half  corrupted,  that  does 
not  burn  with  indignation  at  the  slightest  attempt  to 
seduce  it." 

He  excelled  all  his  cotemporaries  in  the  fascinations 
of  conversation,  even  more  than  he  was  superior  to 
most  persons  in  public  debate.  He  quailed  before  none 
amid  the  severe  splendors  of  the  rostrum,  but  he  turned 
with  hearty  delight  and  unequalled  attractiveness  to  the 
more  genial  charms  of  social  life,  of  which  he  was  very 
fond.  "  The  value  of  friends,"  he  observes,  "  is  the  most 
apparent  and  highest  rated  to  those  who  mingle  in  the 
conflicts  of  political  life.  The  sharp  contests  for  little 
points  wound  the  mind,  and  the  ceaseless  jargon  of  hy- 
pocrisy overpowers  the  faculties.  I  turn  from  scenes 
which*  provoke  and  disgust  me,  to  the  contemplation  of 
the  interest  I  have  in  private  life,  and  to  the  pleasures 
of  society  with  those  friends  whom  I  have  so  much  rea- 
son to  esteem." 

tie  who  pulls  but  one  string,  will  ring  but  one  bell ; 
he  who  has  not  his  whole  nature  cultivated,  will  be  nar- 
rowly restricted  in  his  influence  on  mankind.  We 
reach  the  passions  only  through  the  passions ;  we  impel 


FISHER    AMES. 

in  others  only  that  which  is  identical  with  what  we  first 
move  in  ourselves.  The  great  orator  must  be  "  many- 
sided"  and  variously  educated.  He  must  grow  up  like 
the  mountain  oak,  which,  from  unfolding  germ  to  ma- 
tured development,  feeds  as  it  grows  on  every  kingdom 
of  nature — taking  in  strength  of  heart,  vigor  of  limb,  and 
that  ruggedness  to  endure  which  is  perpetually  appro- 
priated from  rocky  earth  and  genial  dews,  from  summer 
zephyrs,  and  wintry  storms. 

Fisher  Ames  was  the  orator  of  genius-  among  our 
Revolutionary  patriots.  He  was  impelled  in  his  oratori- 
cal career  by  those  mighty  wings  vouchsafed  to  few, 
but  which  re-appearmg  from  time  to  time  in  aid  of  the 
choicest  minds,  are  necessary  to  bear  Truth  through 
the  sea  of  time-  «He  united  the  substantial  and  orna- 
mental,— the-multiflorar  pose-bush  in  full  bloom  wreathed 
round  a  column  of  granite, — the  decorations  welling  up 
from  the  fount  of  fine  emotion,  and  lending  vividness 
and  momentum  to  the  penetration  and  judgment  which 
always  constitute  the  basis  of  a  great  character.  He 
was  fond  of  patient  investigation,  when  required ;  but 
was  more  skillful  in  that  prophetical  sagacity  of  mind 
which  lays  hold  of  remote  consequences  with  the  force 
and  accuracy  of  intuition.  He  seems  to  have  meditated 
without  effort,  and  to  have  produced  without  exhaustion. 

The  sublime  in  speech  is  nothing  else  than -that  which 
true  genius  discovers  beyond  the  hackneyed  regions  of 
ordinary  ideas.  The  impressive  orator  must  plunge  in 
the  deep  mines  of  thought,  and  not  be  content  to  gather 
the  brilliant  grains  of  sand  which  cover  the  profounder 
veins  of  massy  gold.  He  must  leap  beyend  vulgar  COR- 


334  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

ceptions,  and  create  his  thought  in  those  pure  regions 
which  extend  between  the  extremes  of  trite  prettiness 
and  vapid  exaggeration.  The  popular  speaker  must  de- 
velope  in  their  splendid  magnitude  the  harmonious  and 
imposing  forms  of  expression  which  give  to  eloquence  its 
force,  its  dignity,  its  vehemence,  its  gradation  of  thought 
and  majestic  movement.  "  The  fulminating  arrows  of 
Demosthenes,"  says  Cicero,  "  would  strike  with  much 
less  power,  if  they  were  emitted  with  less  rythm  and 
impetuosity." 

Acute  sensibility,  the  inseparable  concomitant  of 
genius,  and  potent  auxiliary  of  reason,  was  finely  devel- 
oped and  copiously  abounded  in  Fisher  Ames.  A  mind 
kindled  with  enthusiasm  unfolds  its  grandeur  in  the- light 
of  its  own  flames,  as  the  sea  is  nevet  more  grand  than 
at  night  when  it  heaves,  storm-tossed  and  brilliant,  with 
the  illumination  of  its  own  phosphorescence.  When 
fully  -aroused  in  debate,  Ames  frequently  trembled  from 
head  to  foot;  he  wept  in  irrepressible  emotion;  and 
paused  in  the  struggle  to  embody  the  inarticulate  elo- 
quence of  his  heart.  He  bent  under  the  reflex  passions 
he  aroused  in  others,  and  then  in  turn  bowed  them 
under  the  augmented  weight  of  his  own. 

The  great  orators  of  antiquity  labored  long  and  pas- 
sionately to  devBlope  their  own  sensibilities,  and,  in 
speaking,  to  mate  their  heart  a  mighty  auxiliary  to  their 
intellect.  They  strove  to  feed  the  fires  of  their  elo- 
quence with  the  choicest  materials,  selected  from  the 
most  glowing  sources;  not  as  dry  quotations,  frigid 
ornaments  tagged  to  the  limping  dullness  of  their  own 
stupid  thoughts,  but  as  spontaneous  contributions  of 


FISHES.   AMES.  335 

volcanic  heat  and  power,  kindling  where  they  fell  and 
blending  with  the  flames  they  augmented.  Their  minds 
were  rich  with  the  selectest  scores  of  elegant  literature, 
and  as  some  pertinent  maxim  or  splendid  illustration 
occurred  in  extemporaneous  discourse,  the  gem  grew 
suddenly  brilliant  amid  the  corruscations  of  inflamed 
fancy,  while  the  orator  poured  his  whole  soul  into  his 
quotation,  and  sent  it,  revivified  and  blazing  to  every 
enraptured  bosom.  This  power  of  reproducing  familiar 
thoughts  with  all  their  original  inspiration  and  effect, 
is  a  rare  gift,  and  was  constantly  improved  by  Fisher 
Ames.  He  possessed  the  power  of  striking  those  deli- 
cate notes  of  soul-harmony  which  a  sympathetic  audience 
always  repeat  with  rapture  in  their  own  hushed  hearts. 
He  diffused  a  charm  around  him,  like  ambrosia  evapo- 
rating from  an  open  vase,  and  which  was  worthy  to  be 
served  at  the  table  of  the  gods.  He  was  not  simply  a 
rhetorician,  or  an  adept  in  metaphysics,  he  was  an 
orator  by  the  true  passion  of  eloquence ;  he  was 
a  musician  in  his  tones,  and  a  poet  in  his  expres- 
sions. 

Ames  was  a  sound  reasoner,  but  his  style  of  argument 
was  harmonious  with  the  constitution  of  his  mind.  The 
logic  that  is  most  felt  is  least  seen,  as  the  cannon-ball 
that  rends  the  target  is  not  visible  in  its  flight.  True 
force  should  be  measured  by  its  efficiency,  rather  than 
by  the  manner  in  \vhich  its  results  are  executed. 

Popular  eloquence,  must  be  rich  in  Qolors,  simple  in 
subject,  sparkjing  with  light,  palpable  in  premises,  bold 
in  deduction,  and  varied  in  tone,  in  order  to  please  the 
multitude  and  convince  all.  As  in  nature  there  are 


336          ORATOES    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

some  prominent  objects  whieh  can  be  seen  from  far,  as 
a  house,  a  tree  or  a  mountain,  so  there  are  but  a  few 
reasons  so  obvious  as  to  strike  the  common  mind.  That 
which  a  philosopher  comprehends  by  an  argument,  the 
mass  of  the  people  comprehend  in  an  image.  It  is  in- 
dispensable to  use  variety.  The  ear  is  soon  pained  with 
sameness  of  tone,  and  the  soul  loaths  a  perpetual  string 
of  syllogisms.  - 

Ames  in  this  respect  was  a  master.  He  was  easily 
excited,  but  exercised  a  sovereign  power  of  self-control. 
He  knew  that  it  was  necessary  to  be  master  of  his  own 
passions,  in  order  to  govern  those  of  others.  He  as- 
sumed diversified  forms  and  hues  with  Protean  facility. 
Now  he  skims  the  ground  and  obscures  himself  in 
smoke ;  anon  he  darts  through  the  empyrean  with  corus- 
cations of  flame,  and  with  resplendent  light  illuminates 
the  waters,  the  earth  and  the  heavens. 

"  The  rapid  argument 
Sofrr'd  in  gorgeous  flight,  linking  earth 
With  heaven  by  golden  chains  of  eloquence ; 
Till  the  mind,  all  its  faculties  and  powers, 
Lay  floating  self-surrendered  in  the  deep 
Of  admiration." 

His  imagination  was  imperial.  The  whole  universe 
of  nature  and  art  were  at  its  control  and  subordinated 
to  its  use.  The  beautiful  and  the  sublime,  those  two 
great  pulses  of  eloquence,  he  felt  deeply  and  could  em- 
body in  multifarious  forms.  There  were  many  stops  of 
great  power  in  the  organ  of  his  soul,  and  he  could  touch 
them  all  in  a  manner  to  suit  his  purpose  and  the  time, — 
now  piping  in  tender  pathos,  like  night-winds  sighing 


FISHER    AMES.  337 

among  reeds  over  a  fountain  in  a  lonely  dell,  and,  on 
more  fearful  occasions,  crashing  on  the  startled  ear  like 
bursting  tempests,  or  distress-gur>s  booming  amid  the 
awful  magnificence  of  elemental  storms. 

His  power  of  giving  a  rapid  sketch  of  a  comprehen- 
sive and  diversified  field,  is  -exemplified  in  the  following 
paragraph.  He  is  speaking  of  the  ambitiojti  of  a  nation 
whose  infidelity  he  dreaded.  "Behold  France,  conduct- 
ing her  intrigues  and  arraying  her  force  between  the 
arctic  circle  and  the  tropics;  see  her,  in  Russia,  the 
friend  of  despotism  ;  in  Ireland,  the  auxiliary  of  a  bloody 
democracy ;  in  Spain  and  Italy,  a  papist ;  in  Egypt,  a 
mussulman  ;  in  India,  a  bramin  ;  and  at  home,  an  %the- 
ist ;  countenancing  despotism,  monarchy,  democracy, 
religion  of  every  sort,  and  none  at  all,  as  suits  the  neces- 
sity of  the  moment." 

As  an  example  of  his  illustrious  imagination,  take  the 
following.  He  is  speaking  of  England  as  a  model  of 
national  industry  to  be  imitated,  rather  than  the  nations 
on  the  continent.  Among  the  latter  he  proceeds  to  say: 
"  Commerce  has  not  a  single  ship ;  arts  and  manufac- 
tures exist  m  ruins  and  memory  only;  credit  is  a  spectre 
that  haunts  its  bu-rying-place ;  justice  has  fallen  on  its 
own  sword  ;  and  liberty,  after  being  sold  to  Ishmaelites, 
is  stripped  of  its  bloody  garments  to  disguise  its  rob- 
bers." 

Mr.  Ames  habitually  dealt  in  a  copious  use  of  figures 
of  speech.  In  IRIS  eulogy  on  Washington,  he  discourses 
as  follows : 

"Great  generals  have  arisen  in  all  ages  of  the  world, 
and  perhaps  most  in  those  of  despotism  and  darkness. 
15 


338  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

In  times  of  violence  and  convulsion,  they  rise,  by  the 
force  of  the  whirlwind,  high  enough  to  ride  in  it,  and 
direct  the  storm.  Like  mete*ars,  they  glare,  on  the  black 
clouds  with  a  splendor,  whicn,  while  it  dazzles  and  ter- 
rifies, makes  nothing -visible  but  the  darkness.  The  fame 
of  heroes  is  indeed  growing  vulgar;  they  multiply -in 
every  long  war;  they  stand  in  history,  and  thicken  in 
their  ranks,  almost  as  undistinguished  as  their  own  sol- 
diers. 

"  But  such  a  chief  magistrate  as  Washington  appears 
Ijke  the  pole-star  in  a  clear  sky,  to  direct  -the  skillful 
statesman.  His  Presidency  will  form  an  epoch,  and  be 
distiaguished  as  the  age  of  Washington.  Already  it 
assumes-its  high  place  in  the  political  region.  Like  the 
milky  way,  it  whitens  along  its  allotted,  portion  of  the 
hemisphere.  The  latest  generations  of  men  will  survey, 
through  the  telescope  of  history,  the  space  where  so 
many  virtues  blend  their  rays,  and  delight  to  separate 
them  "into  groups  and  distinct  virtues.  As  the  best 
illustration  of  them,  the  living  monument,  to  which  the 
first  of  patriots  would  have  chosen  to  consign  his  fame, 
.it  is  my  earnest  prayer  to  heaven,  that  our  country  may 
subsist,  even  to  that  late  day,  in  the  plenitude  of  its 
liberty  and  happiness,  and  mingle  its  mild  glory  with 
Washington's." 

But,  after  all,  the  chief  excellence  in  Mr.  Ames*,  and 
one  that  renders  him  a  worthy  model  to  be -emulated 
by  all  pubHc "speakers,  was  his'  great  industry  and  care 
in  improving  to  perfection  the  chaste  beauty  of  his 
style.  As  a  specimen  of  his  elaborate  composition,  and 
at  the  same  time  the  very  best  description  of  himself, 


FISHER    AMES.  339 

we  wilt  take  the. following  extract  from  his  encomium  on 
Alexander  Hamilton^ 

"It  is  rare  that  a  man,  who  owes  so  much  to  nature, 
descends  to  seek  more  from  industry ;  but  he  seemed  to 
depend  »n  industry,  as  if  nature  had  done  nothing  for 
him.  His  habits  of  investigation  were  veryremarkable ; 
his  mind  seemed  to  cling  to  his  subject,  till  it  had  ex- 
hausted it.  Hence  the  uncommon  superiority  of  his 
reasoning  powers,  a  superiority  that  seemed  to  be  aug- 
mented from  every  source,  and  to  be  fortified  by  'every 
auxilary,  learning,  taste,  wit,  imagination,  and  eloquence^ 
These  were  embellished  and  enforced  by  his  temper  and 
manners,  by  his  fame  and  his  virtues.  It  is  difficult,  in 
the  midst  of  such  various  excellence,  to  say  in  what 
particular  the  effect  of  his  greatness  was  most  manifest. 
No  man  more  promptly  discerned  truth  ;  no  man  more 
clearly  displayed  it :  it  was  not  merely  made -visibly— it 
seemed  to  come  bright  with  illumination  from  his  lips. 
But  prompt  and  clear'as  he  was,  fervid  as  Demosthenes, 
like  Cicero,  full- of  resource,  he  was  not  less  remarkable 
for  the  copiousness  and  completeness  of  his  argument, 
and  left  little  for  cavil,  and  nothing  for  doubt.  Some 
men  take  their  strongest  argument  as  a  weapon,  and 
use  no  other ;  but  he  left  nothing  to  be  inquired  for 
more — nothing  to  be  answered.-  He  not  only  disarmed 
his  adversaries  of  their  pretexts  and  objections,  but  he 
stripped  them  of  aU  excuse  for  having  urged  them ;  he 
confounded  and  subdued,  as  well  as  convinced.  He 
indemnified  them,'  however,  by  making  his  discussion 
a  complete  map  of  his  subject ;  so  that  his  opponents 
might,  indeed,  feel  ashamed  of  their  mistakes,  but  they 


340  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

could  not  repeat  them.  In  fact,  it  was  no  common 
effort  that  preserved  a  really  able  antagonist  from 
becoming  his  convert ;  for  the  truth,  which  his  re- 
searches so  distinctly  presented  to  the  understanding  of 
others,  was  rendered  almost  irresistibly  commanding 
and  impressive  by  the  love  and  reverence,  which,  it 
was  ever  apparent,  he  profoundly  cherished  for  k  in  his 
own.  While  patriotism  glowed  in  his  heart,  wisdom 
blended  in  his  speech  her  authority  with  her  charms." 

We  have  said  that  Fisher  Ames,  among  our  Revo- 
lutionary statesmen,  was  the  orator  of  genius.  We 
mean  by  this  that  he  possessed  something  higher  and 
better  than  mere  talent. 

Genius  is  the  native  breath  of  the  mostrichly  endowed, 
luxuriating  in  every  thing  beautiful  and  fair, — the 
inspired  vision  which  makes  the  future  present,  and  the 
distant  near, — a  lingering  reminiscence  of  the  infinite 
ocean  from  which  we  all  emerged,  and  a  vivid  prognos- 
tic of  an  eternity  to  come.  It  is  a  rare,  possession,  the 
line  of  demarcation  between  the  highest  form  of  the 
intellectual,  and  the  lowest  form  of  the  divine,  causing 
its  possessor  to  be  a  "maker"  of  things,  most  like  God; 
a  "  declarer"  who  speaks  the  highest  law  in  tones  like 
the  sound  of  many  waters,  and  with  a  splendor  as  pure 
and  pervading  as  the  light  of  heaven. 

It  is  the  quality  of  genius  to  flow,  while  plodding 
talent  has  a  constant  tendency  to  freeze.  He  who  is 
blessed  with  the  first,  passes  through  life  as  a  broad  and 
placid  river  traverses  continents,  and,  in  its  calm  but 
irresistible  course,  reflects  every  natural  charm.  Ben 
Jonson  possessed  an  extraordinary  opulence  of  thought ; 


FISHER    AMES.  341 

but  it  was  the  produce  of  the  amassing  power  of  talent, 
not,  as  irt  Shakspeare,  the  creative  power  of  genius. 
Materials,  which,  in  the  hands  of  talent,  are  but  herbs 
and  crude  metal, — papyrus  and  bronze, — by  the  magical 
touch  of  -genius  are  elevated  into  stupendous  archi- 
tecture, temples  that  outlive  the  Pyramids,  around  which 
the  deluge  of  ages  roars  in  vain. 

Talent  accomplishes  results  with  slow  toil,  like  Cali- 
ban ;  while  genius  works  its  spontaneous  wonders  like 
the  wand  of  Pro'spero.  The  traces  of  talent  are  dis- 
covered by  the  searcher  after  excellence;  but  genius 
strikes  us  like  the  lightning,  without  the  eye  being 
obliged  to  look  for  it.  It  illumines  every  thing  with  its 
own  broad  clear  flash.  Genius  fs  daring,  thinks  for 
itself,  and  pursues  its  ends  out  of  the  beaten  track ; 
while  talent  plods  on  after  the  manner  and  dictum  of 
others,  .and  is  applauded  only  by  critics  of  the  same 
taste  and  mental  calibre. 

Talent  takes  impressions  from  beautiful  objects; 
genius  creates  its  own  originals.  Talent  collects  data 
and  from  them  deduces  conclusions;  genius  overleaps 
the  intermediate  process  and  reaches  the  same  result  by 
intuition.  Newton  had  genius,  and  it  discovered  the 
law  of  gravitation ;  he  also  had  talent,  and  with  this  he 
proved  it.  The  higher  attribute  is  necessary  to  render 
one  great  in  his  own  presence ;  the  other  must  be  em- 
ployed to  render  «ie  useful  to  the  world.  Without"  the 
sun,  the  universe  is  a  chaos  ;  genius  kindtes  an  original 
flame,  and  talent  walks  in  the  light  thereof. 

Exact  definitions  of  these  qualities  are  difficult,  but 
Ames  was  certainly  not  entirely  wrong  when  he  said 


342  ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

that,  "talent  might  be  compared  to  a  bee,  gathering 
honey  from  every  flower,  but  creating  none  ;  while 
genius  is  like  a  spider,  it  spins  from  its  own  bowels." 
We  may  add  that  genius  is  insatiable,  and  becomes 
vigorous  in  proportion  as  it  is  appropriately  fed.  Like 
the  Phoenix,  which  rises-renovated  from  its  own  ashes,  or 
the  vitals  of  Prometheus  which  grew  as  fast  as  the  vul- 
tures devoured  them,  the  finer  powers  of  the  soul  become 
purified  by  the  flames  they  traverse,  and  are  strengthen- 
ed by  the  struggles  they  endure  Lord  Brougham  is 
an  orator  of  talent,  but  FisTier  Ames  was  the  orator  of 
genius. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 
WILLIAM    PINKNEY, 

THE \CCOMFI.ISB* :O  COUNSELLOR. 

SERJEANT  TALFORD,  one  of  the  most  elegant  scholars 
and  able. lawyers  now  practising  in  Westminster  Hall, 
has  said  that  there  is  no  pursuit  in  life  which  appears 
more  captivating  at  a  distance  than  the  profession  of  the 
bar.  "  It  is  the  great  avenue  to  political  influence  and 
reputation  ;  its  honors  are  among  the  most  splendid 
which  can  be  attained  in  a  free  State;  and  its  emolu- 
ments and  privileges  are  exhibited  as  .prizes,  to  be  con- 
tested freely  by  all  its  members.  Its  annals  celebrate 
many  individuals  who  have  risen  from  the  lowest  ranks 
of  the  people,  by  fortunate  coincidence,  or  by  patient 
labor,  to  wealth  and  station,  and  have*become  the 
founders ^^fcfortunate  families.  If  th,e  young  aspirant 
perceives,  even  in  his  hasty  and  sanguine  glance,  that 
something  depends  on  fortuitous  circumstances,  the  con- 
viction only  renders  the  pursuit  more  inviting,  by  adding 
the  fascinations  of  a  game  of  chance  to  those  of  a  trial 
of  skill.  If  he  is  forced  to  confess  that  a  sacrifice  of 
principle  is  occasionally  required  of  the  candidate  for 
its  more  lucrative  situations,  he  glories  in  the  pride  of 


344          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

untempted  virtue,  and  pictures  himself  generously  re- 
sisting the  bribe  which  would  give  him  riches  and 
authority  in  exchange  for  conscious  rectitude  and  the 
approbation  of  the  good  and  the  wise.  While  he  sees 
nothing  in  the  distance,  but  glorious  success,  or  more 
glorious  self-denial,  he  feels  braced  for  the  severest  exer- 
tion ;  nerved  for  the  fiercest  struggle  ;  and  regards  every 
throb  of  an  impatient  ambition  as  a  presage  of  victory." 

Among  the  early,  persevering  and  triumphant  devo- 
tees at  the  shrine  of  Thermis,  in  America,  William 
Pinkney,  of  Maryland,  stands  pre-eminent.  HB  was 
born  at  Annapolis,  en  the  17th  of  March,  1764.  His 
father  was  an  Englishman  and  a  tory,  but  the  son  early 
avowed  his  ardent  attachment  to  republican  liberties, 
and  to  the  last  struggled  for  the  independence  which  in 
boyhood  he  espoused. 

He  commenced  his  law  studies  in  the  office  of  Justice 
Chase,  in  1783,  and- was  called  to  the  bar  in  1786.  His 
first  efforts  commanded  public  admiration,  and  to  'the 
minds  of  the  sagacious  foretokened  eminent  success. 
At  that  time  the  law  of  real  property,  and  the  science  of 
special  pleading,  were  the  two  great  departments  of 
legal  study,  and  in  these  he  was  considered  accurate 
and  profound.  "His  style  of  speaking,"  says  Wheaton, 
"  was  marked  by  an  easy  flow  of  natural  eloquence  and 
a  happy  choice  of  language.  His  voice  was  very  melo- 
dious, and  seemed  a  most  winning  -accompaniment  to 
his  pure  and  effective  fiction.  His  elocution  was  calm 
and  pfecid — the  very  contrast  to  that  strenuous,  vehe- 
ment, and  emphatic  manner,  which  he  subsequently 
adopted." 


WILLIAM    PiNKTCEY.          "4P  345 

In  1786,  Mr.  Pinkney  removed  to  Harford  County, 
where  he  practiced  his  profession,  and  in  1788,  was 
elected  a  delegate  to  the  State  Convention  which  rati- 
fied the  Constitution  of  the  United  States.  In  the  same 
year,  he  was  elected  to  represent  the  couHty  of  Harford 
in  the  House  of  Delegates,  which  position  he  continued 
to  occupy  until  1792,  when,  he  removed  fro  Annapolis. 
In  1789,  he  married  Miss  Ann  Maria  Rodgers,  sister  to 
Commodore  Rodgers,  the  celebrated  ornament  of  our 
navy. 

While  in  the  State  legislature,  Pinkney  distinguished 
himself.i»  several  impertant  debates.  In  1789  he  made 
an  admirable  speech  on  the  voluntary  emancipation  of 
slaves,  nearly  the  whole  of  which  has  been  preserved. 
The  following  are  brief  extracts  which  illustrate  his 
character  and  exemplify  his  style : 

"  The  door  to  freedom  is  fenced  about  with-  such  bar- 
barous caution,  that  a  stranger  would  be  naturally  led 
to  believe  that  our  statesmen  considered  the  existence  of 
its  opposite  among  us  as  the  sing  qua  non  of  our  pros- 
perity ;  or,  at  least,  that  they  regarded  it  as  an  act  of  the 
most  atrocious  criminality  to  raise'  an  humble  bondsman 
from  the  dust,  and  place  him  on  'the '  stage  of  life  on  a 
level  with  their  citizens. 

"Eternal  infamy  awails  the  abandoned  miscreants, 
whose  selfish  souls  could  ever  prompt  them  to  rob  un^ 
happy  Afric  of  her  sons,  and  freight  them  hither  by 
thousands  to  poison  the  fair  Eden  of  liberty  with  the 
rank  weed  of  individual  bondage! 

"  Sir,  it  is  really  matter  of  astonishment  to  me  that 
the  people  of  Maryland  do  not  blush  at  the  very  name  of 
15* 


346          ORAT^fc*    OF    TH£   AMERICAN    DEVOLUTION. 

freedom.  That  they  who  have,  by  the  deliberate  acts 
of  their  legislature,  treated  her  most  obvious  dictates 
with  contempt;  who  have  exhibited  for  a  long  series  of 
years,  a  spectacle  of  slavery  which  they  are  still  solicit- 
ous to  perpetuate ;  who,  not  content  with  exposing  to 
the  world  for  near  a  century,  a  speaking  picture  of 
abominable  oppression,  are  still  ingenious  to  prevent  the 
hand  ef  generosity  from  robbing  it  of  half  its  hofrors ; 
that  they  should  step  forward  as  the  zealous  partizans  of 
freedom,  cannot  but  astonish  a  person  who  is  not  cas- 
uist enough  to  reconcile  antipathies. 

"For  shame,  sir!  let  us  throw  off  the  mask,  'tis  a  cob- 
web one  at  best,  and  the  world  will  see  through  it.  It 
will  not  do  thus  to  talk  like  philosophers,  and  act  like 
unrelenting  tyrants;  to  be  perpetually  sermonizing 
with  liberty  for  our  text,  and  actual  oppression  for  our 
commentary." 

In  1792,  Mr.  Pinkney  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Executive  Council  of  Maryland*,  in  which  office  he  re- 
mained until  Jiovember,  1795,  when  he  resigned  his 
seat  as  President  of  the  Board,  to  assume  still  higher 
functions  to  which  he  had  been  appointed.  During  all 
this  time  he  was  exceedingly  assiduous  in  study,  and  rose 
rapidly  to  the  head  of  the  bar,  and  to  a  distinguished 
rank  in  the  public  councils  of  his  native  State.  Mr. 
Walsh,  speaking  of  this  period  of  Pinkney 's  life,  says, 
"His  acuteness,  dexterity,  and  zeal  in  the  transaction  of 
business;  his  readiness,  spirit,  and  vigor  in  debate;  the 
beauty  and  richness  of  his  fluent  elocution,  adorned 
with  the  finest  imagery  drawn  from  classical  lore  and  a 
vivid  fancy;  the  manliness  of  his  figure  and  the  energy 


WItWAM    PINKVEY.  347 

of  his  mien,  united  with  a  sonorous  and  flexible  voice, 
and  a  general  animation  and  graceful  delivery,  were  the 
qualities  by  which  he  attained  this  elevated  standing." 

In  1796,  he  was  selected  by  President  Washington 
as  one  of  the  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States,  under  the  7th  article  of  Jay's  treaty  with  Great 
Ittjytt.  After  some  hesitation  he  accepted  the  trust, 
and  embarked  for  London,  where  he  arrived  in  July, 
1796.  His  services  abroad  were  of  a  difficult  character, 
but  were  executed  with  great  care  and  success.  In 
1804,  ho  returned  to  his  country,  and  with  enlarged 
capacities  and  renewed  zeal  entered  again  upon  the  toils 
of  his  profession.  During  his  diplomatic  mission  abroad, 
be  was  far  from  relaxing  his  forensic  studies.  Like 
Homer's  hero,  though  withdrawn  -from  the  field  a  while, 
his  arm  was  not  in  the  slightest  unnerved  by  indolent 
repose.  He  obtained  in  retirement  a  full  suit  of  Vulca- 
nian  armor,  and  renewed  the  conflict  with  fresh  strength, 
with  a  facility  and  force  of  action  more  propjtious  to  the 
combatant  than  unremitted  battle  might  have  proved. 
He  returned  to  the  American  bav  and  Senate,  to  "  shed 
lustre  upon  letters,  renown  upon  Congress,  glory  on  the 
country." 

Soon  after  Mr.  Pinkney's  return  from  England,  he 
removed  to  Baltimore,  and  commenced  attending  the 
Supreme  Court  at  Washington.  In  1805,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Attorney-General  of  Maryland,  and  may  be 
considered  as  having  then  entered  upon  the  widest 
sphere  of  professional  honor  and  emolument.  At  this 
poist,  let  us  more  minutely  analyze  his  character,  and 
consider  the  instrumentalities  he  employed. 


348  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

Like  all  proficients  in  every  profession  who  win  a 
wide  and  enduring  fame,  Pinkney  laid  his  foundation 
deep  and  strong,  in  a  truly  liberal  education.  In  early 
manhood  his  classical  training  was  imperfect,  but  in  ma- 
ture life  he  abundantly  repaired  all  deficiencies.  An 
anecdote  is  related  of  him  which  strikingly  illustrates  his 
character  in  this  respect.  When  at  the  Court  of  St. 
James,  he  was  dining  in  company  with  Burke,  Sheridan, 
Fox,  and  a  ho?t  of  great  names,  when  a  discussion  arose 
upon  a  passage  in  Virgil.  All  of  the  guests  expressed 
their  opinions  but  Mr.  Pinkney,  and  as  he  had  said 
nothing,  pro  or  con.,  they  appealed  to  him  as  umpire. 
He  had  to  confess  his  ignorance  of  the  Latin  language  ; 
but  when  he  left  the  company,  he  sent  immediately  for 
a  teacher,  and  commenced  the  study  of  it.  The  result 
was,  that,  amid  all  the  tumultuous  cares  of  exalted  sta- 
tions, he  continued  to  prosecute  the  study  of  ancient 
literature  and  became  an  accomplished  classical  scholar. 
He  accustomed  himself  to  acute  observation  and  un- 
tiring application.  Abroad,  as  well  as  at  home,  he 
emulated  the  best  models,  and  was  ambitious  of  the 
highest  honors.  He  was  as  unremitting  in  his  search 
for  the  elements  of  oratorical  power  and  professional 
celebrity,  as  ever  was  alchymist  in  pursuit  of  his  golden 
secret.  This  is  always  a  happy  omen,  since,  as  Johnson 
has  said,  "  Men's  ambition  is  generally  proportioned  to 
their  capacity.  Providence  seldom  sends  any  one  into 
the  world  with  an  inclination  to  attempt  great  things, 
who  has  not  likewise  abilities  to  perform  them." 

But  our  renewed  countryman's  heart  did  not  only 
"  run  o'er  in  silent  worship  of  the  great  of.old  ;•"  he  was 


WILLIAM    PINKNEY.  349 

assiduous  in  winning  excellence  from  the  most  promi- 
nent among  his  cotemporaries.  His  residence  in  Lon- 
don, in  intimate  connection  with  the  most  distinguished 
masters  of  the  bench  and  bar,  was  of  great  service  in 
consummating  Mr.  Pinkney's  forensic  edueatkm.  When- 
ever his  diplomatic  duties  allowed,  he  was  constant  in 
attendance  in  all  the  higher  courts,  and  critical  in  his 
analysis  of  all  the  proceedings.  Hence,  when  he  re- 
turned to  the  American,  bar,  it  was  observed  that  he  had 
lost  nothing  in  legal  attainment  by  absence,  but  had 
gained  immensely.  He  resumed  his  position  in  the  lists, 
completely  armed  at  every  point. 

The  two  men  abroad  who  stood  highest  in  Pinkney's 
esteem,  and  the  latter  of  whom  he  not  only  admired  but 
imitated,  were  Sir  William  Scott,  and  Mr.  Erskine. 
According  to  the  following  estimate  of  Sc«tt,  by  Lord 
Brougham,  no  jurist  was  worthier  of  being  emulated. 
"  Sir  William  Scott's  learning,  extensive  and  profound 
in  all  professional  matters,  was  by  no  means  confined 
within  that  range.  He  was  amply  and  accurately  en- 
dowed with  a  knowledge  of  all  history  of  all  times ; 
richly  provided  with  the  literary  and  the  personal  por- 
tion of  historical  lore  ;  largely  furnished  with  stores  of 
the -more  curious  and  recondite  knowledge  which  judi- 
cious students  of  antiquity,  and  judicious  students  only, 
are  found  to  amass  ;  and  he  possessed  a  rare  facility  of 
introducing  such  matters  felicitously  for  the  illustration 
of  an  argument  or  a  topic,  whether  in  debate  or  in  more 
familiar  conversation.  But  he  was  above  the  pedantry 
which  disdains  the  gratification  of  a  more  ordinary  and 
tvery-day  curiosity.  No  one  had  more  knowledge  of 


330  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

the  common  affairs  of  life  ;  and  it  was  at  all  times  a  cur- 
rent observation,  that  the  person  who  first  saw  any  sight 
exhibiting  in  London,  be  it  production  of 'nature  or  of 
art  or  of  artifice,  was  Sir  William  Scott — -who  could 
always  steal  for  such  relaxations  an  hour  from  settling 
the  gravest  questions  that  could  be  raised  on.  the  rights 
of  nations  or  the  ecclesiastical  law  of  the  land.  Above 
all,  he  was  a  person  of  great  classical  attainments/  Of 
diction,  he  was  among  the  greatest  masters,  in  all  but  its 
highest  department  of  energetic  declamation  and  fervent 
imagery." 

Probably  few  devotees  ever  adorned  and  emulated 
the  "god  of  their  idolatry,"  so  passionately  as  did  Mr. 
Pinkney  his  friend,  the  great  forensic  orator,  Erskine. 
He  had  learned  much  from  the  severe  dialectics  of 
Scott ;  he  was  thoroughly  enraptured  by  the  -masterly 
arguments  and  appeals  of  Erskine.  He  had  often -iieard 
of  him  in  his  happiest  efforts,1  and  seems  never  to  have 
lost  the  inspiration  which  he  imbibed  as-  a  spectator  of 
the  splendid  strife.  -Nothing  is  more  natural  to  gifted 
minds  than  insensibly  to  imitate  what  they  habitually 
admire.  Intentionally  or  unintentionally,  it  is  well 
known  that  Pinkney  had  caught  many  of  the  peculiar 
airs  of  his  great  model.  Talking  one  day  to  a  fellow 
practitioner  about  Erskine,  he  started  up  and  said,  "I'll 
give  you  a  specimen  of  his  manner."  "  And,"  says  his 
brother  lawyer,  "it  was  an  admirable  specimen — = — of 
Mr.  Pinkney." 

-Emulation  of  living  masters  is  doubtless  a  good  prac- 
tice, when  the  best  models  are  selected,  and  their  faults 
are  avoided.  But,  unfortunately,  the  excrescences 


WILLIAM    PINRNEY.  351 

which  are  most  prominent  and  least  valuable,  are  ordi- 
narily the  first  copied.  Herein  is  the  danger,  since  no 
one  can  ever  be  great  by  imitation  alone.  Mr.  Pinkney, 
however,  possessed  extraordinary  natural  abilities,  and 
did  not  incur  dangers  .so  great  as  those  that  threaten 
mediocrity  whenever  imitation  is  indulged.  Moreover, 
the  model  he  cjjose  to  adopt,  was  second  to  none  then 
extant.  "The  eloquence  of  Lord  Erskine,"  says  a 
distinguished  critic,  "  was  of  a  very  high  order.  Though 
never  deficient  in  any  of  those  qualities,  it.  was  not 
indebted  for  its  excellence  either  to  beauty  of  diction, 
or  to  richness  of  ornament,  or  to  felicity  of  illustration  ; 
— it  was  from  its  unrivalled  strength  and  vigor  that  it 
derived  its  superior  character.  The  intenseness,  the 
earnestness,  the  vehemence,  the.  energy  of  the  advocate, 
were  ever  present  throughout  his  speeches,  impressing 
his  arguments  upon  the  mind  of  the  hearer  with  a 
force  which  seemed  to  compel  conviction.  Throughout 
even  the  longest  of  his  speeches  there  is  no  weakness, 
no  failing,  no  flagging ;  but  the  same  lively  statement 
of  facts,  the  same  spirited  and -pointed  exposition  of 
argument.  He  never  gave  way  to  what  he  has  happily 
termed  "the  Westminster  Hall  necessity" — of  filling  up 
his  speech  with  common-places;  but  invariably  pre- 
sented his  subject  in  some  striking  or  brilliant  light, 
which  never  failed  to.  rivet  the  attention,  and  to  work 
upon  the  convictions  of  his  audience." 

Mr.  Pinkney  possessed  uncommon  powers,  cultivated 
with  Incessant  care,  and  directed  always  toward  the 
the  grand  aims  of  his  profession.  He  had  great  power 
in  dealing  with  facts,  a  facility  in  arraying  and  sifting 


352  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

evidence,  and  in  arguing  upon  probabilities,  which  few 
or  none  could  either  anticipate  or  subvert.  Among 
other  eminent  attributes,  he  was  especially  distinguished 
for  one  which  a  high  authority  has  declared  that  even 
Burke  did  not  possess, — fierce,  nervous,  overwhelming 
declamation,  and  close,  rapid  argument.  His  career  as 
an  orator  was  a  brHliant  commentary  on  the  lines  of 
Percival : 

u  Men  are  made  to  bend 
Before  the  mighty,  and  to  follow  on 
Submissive  where  the  great  may  lead — the  great, 
Whose  might  is  not  in  crowns  and  palaces, 
In  parchment  rolls  or  blazoned  heraldry, 
But  in  the  power  of  thought,  the  energy 
Of  unsupported  mind,  whose  steady  will 
No  force  can  daunt,  no  tangled  path  divert 
From  its  high-onward  purpose." 

• 

The  ambition  which  always  seemed  to  actuate  this 
great  man  at  the  bar  was  complex  interest  in  the  fate 
of  his  client,  and  the  promotion  of  his  own  fame. 
Undoubtedly,  he  was  ambitious,  as  who  that  is  worthy 
of  esteem  and  destined  to  win  it  is  not?  But  his 
aspirations  were  honorable,  and  -bent  towards  the  goal 
of  untarnished  glory,  rather  than  to  the  accumulation 
of  sordid  pelf.  In  his  letters  on  the  study  of  History, 
addressed  to  the  great  grandson  of  the  Earl  of  Clarendon, 
Bolingbroke,  after  speaking  of  the  profession  of  the  law 
as  "in  its  nature  the  noblest  and  most  beneficial  to 
mankind,  in  its  abuse  and  debasement,  the  most  sordid 
and  the  most  pernicidus,"  makes  the  following  remarks, 
both  eloquent  and  true :  "  There  have  been  lawyers  that 


WILLIAM    PINKNEY.  358 

were  orators,  philosophers,  historians,— there  have  been 
Bacons  and  Clarendons,  my  lord.  There  will  be  none 
such  any  more,  till,  in  some  better  age,  true  ambition, 
or  the  love  of  fame,  prevails  over  avarice,  and  till  men 
find  leisure  and  encouragement  to  prepare  themselves 
for  the  exercise  of  this  profession,  by  climbing  up  to  the 
'vantage  ground,'  so  my  Lord  Bacon  calls  it,  of  science; 
instead  of  grovelling  all  their  lives  below  in  a  mean,  but 
painful  application  to  all  the  little  acts  of  chicane.  Till 
this  Happen,  the  profession  of  the  law  will  scarce  deserve 
to  be  ranked  among  the  learned  professions ;  and  when- 
ever it  happens,  one  of  the  'vantage  grounds/  to  which 
men  must  climb,  is  metaphysical,  and  the  other  historical, 
knowledge." 

Mr.  Pinkney's  mind  was  sufficiently  acute  to  master 
the  nicest  metaphysics  of  law,  and  in  this  department 
he  greatly  excelled.  Early  in  life,  special  pleading  was 
his  forte,  and  to  the  last  he  encountered  no  superior. 
He  was  often  most  eloquent  on  questions  the  most 
abstruse,  as  in  the  elucidation  of  great  principles  which 
involved  black-letter  precedents  and  feudal  lore.  Of  his 
personal  appearance  and  professional  excellence,  no 
one  was  better  qualified  to  speak  than  Justice  Story, 
and  the  following  is  his  estimate  of  Mr.  Pinkney's 
character : 

"  For  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life,  he  was  never 
supposed,  by  any  one,  to  be  excelled  by  any  other 
advocate,  and  rarely  deemed  to  be  equalled.  His  person 
was  strong,  compact,  and  muscular,  exhibiting  great 
vigor  of  action,  with  no*  small  grace  and  ease  of  move- 
ment. His  countenance,  without  being  strikingly  inter- 


354  OKATOK3    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

esting  for  its  intelligence,  or  suavity,  was  manly  and 
open ;  and,  when  excited  by  any  discussion,  was  capable 
of  the  most  powerful  and  various  expression,  suited,  at 
once,  for  the  playfulness  of  wit,  the  indignation  of 
resentment  or  the  solemn  dignity  of  argumentation. 
His  mind  was  singularly  subtle  and  penetrating,  equally 
rapid  in  its  conceptions,  and  felicitous  in  the  exposition 
of  the  truths  which  it  was  employed  to  develope  or 
analyze.  In  native  genius,  or,  in  other  words,  in  the 
power  to  invent,  select,  illustrate,  and  combine  Topics 
for  the  purposes  of  argument,  few  men  have  been  his 
superiors.  But  he  did  not  rely  exclusively  on  the 
resources  of  his  genius.  He  chastened,  improved,  and 
invigorated  it  by  constant  study,  and  laborious  disci- 
pline. He  was  from  early  life  a  diligent  student,  not 
only  of  the  law,  but  of  general  literature,,  and  especial!" 
of  classical  literature.  He  was  ambitious  to  be  not 
only  a  good,  but  an  exact  scholar;  not  only  a  persua- 
sive, but  an  elegant  writer;  not  only  a  splendid,  but  a 
solkf speaker;  full  of  matter,  as  well  as  of  metaphor; 
able  to  convince,  as  well  as  to  instruct  and  please.  His 
professional  learning  was  very  extensive,  deep,  and 
accurate.  It  was  the  gradual  accumulation  of  nearly 
forty  years'  steady  devotion  to  the  science,  as  Well  as 
practice,  of  jurisprudence.  He  possessed  a  minute 
acquaintance  with  the  ancient  common  law.  Its  .tech- 
nical principles,  and  feudal  peculiarities,-  its  quaint 
illustrations,  its  subtle  distinctions,,  and  its  artificial,  but 
nice  logic,  were  all  familiar  to  his  early  thoughts,  and 
enabled  him;  in  the  later  periods  of  his  life,  to  expound 
the  abstruse  doctrines  of  modern  tenures  and  titles, 


WILLIAM    PINKNEY.  355 

with  great  facility  and  perspicuity.  But  his  studies 
were  not  confined  to  mere  researches  into  the  doctrines 
of  the  old  law.  His  reading  was  very  extensive  in  all 
the  Departments  of  mcfdern  jurisprudence ;  -  and  his 
practice,  which  was, .perhaps,  more?  various  than  that  of 
any  other  American  lawyer,  led  him  to  a  daily  applica- 
tion of  all  his  learning,  in  the  actual  business  of  the 
forum.  Few  men,  in  our  country,  had  attained  so 
exact,  thorough,  and  methodized  a  knowledge  as  he  of 
the  general  principles  of  the  Law  of  Nations ;  of  the 
doctrines  of  the  Prize  and  Admiralty  Courts ;  of  the 
broad  and  various  foundations  of  equity,  jurisprudence, 
and  of  the  admirable  theories,  as  well  as  practical 
developments,  of  all  the  branches  of  Maritime  and 
Commercial  Law." 

Justice  Story  goes  on  to  speak  of  Mr.  Pinkney's 
thorough  mastery  of  Constitutional  Law,  and  of  hi& 
frequent  exemplifications  of  exalted  patriotism,  but  our 
limits  will  not  admit  of  fartheu-  quotation,  except  a  few 
sentences  on  his  oratorical  manner.  "  It  was  original, 
impressive,  and  vehement.  He  had  some  natural  and 
some  acquired  defects,  which  »iade  him,  in  some  degree, 
fall  short  of  that  exquisite  conception  of  the  imagination, 
a  perfect  orator.  His  voice  was  thick  and  guttural.  It 
rose  and  fell  with  Httle  Melody  and  softening  of  tones, 
and  was,  occasionally,  abrupt  and  harsh  in  its  intona- 
tions, and  wanting  in  liquidness  and  modulation.  -These, 
however,  were  venial  faftlfs,  ope»  to  observation,  indeed, 
but  soon  forgotten  by  those  wholistened  to  his  instructive 
and  persuasive  reasoning.;  for  no  man  could  hear  him 
for  any  length  of  time  without  being  led  captive  by  his 

*     » 


356          ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

eloquence.  His  imagination  was  rich  and  inventive; 
his  taste,  in  general,  pure  and  critical ;  and  his  memory 
uncommonly  exact,  full,  and  retentive.  He  attained  a 
complete  mastery  of  the  whole  compass  of  the  English 
language;  and,  in  the  variety  of  use,  as  well  as  the 
choice  of  diction,  for  all  the  purposes  of  his  public  labors, 
he  possessed  a  marvelous  felicity.  It  gave  to  his  style 
an  air  of  originality,  force,  copiousness,  and  expressive- 
ness, which  "struck  the  most  careless  observer.  His 
power  of  amplification  and  illustration,  whenever  these 
were  appropriate  to  his  purpose,  seemed  almost  inex- 
haustible ;  though  he  possessed,  at  the  same  time,  the 
power  of  condensation,  both  of  thought  and  language, 
to  a  most  uncommon  degree." 

It  would  be  easy  to  adduce  passages  from  Mr.  Pink- 
ney's  printed"  remains  to  justify  the  above  remarks  on 
the  substance  and  manner  of  his  speech.  Take  the 
following  from  his  celebrated  reply  to  Mr.  King  on  the 
Missouri  Question :  "  Time,  that  withers  the  strength 
of  man  and  '  strews  around  him,  like  autumnal  leaves, 
the  ruins  of  his  proudest  monuments,'  produces  great 
ricissitudes  in  modes  of  thinking  and  feeling.  It  brings 
along  with  it,  in  its  progress,  new  circumstances — new 
combinations  and  modifications  of  the  old — generating 
new  views,  motives,  and  caprtles — new  fanaticisms  of 
endless  variety — in  short,  new  every  thi«g.  We  our- 
selves are  always  changing — and  what  to-day  we  have 
but  a  small  desire  to  attempt,  to-morrow  becomes  "the 
object  of  our  passionate  aspirations. 

"  There  is  such  a  thing  as  enthusiasm,  moral,  religious, 
or  political,  or  a  .compound  of  all  three  ; — and  it  is  won- 

* 


t 

WILLIAM    PINKNEY.  357 

derful  what  it  will  attempt,  and  from  what  imperceptible 
beginnings  it  sometimes  rises  into  a  mighty  agent. 
Rising  from  some  obscure  or  unknown  source,  it  first 
shows  itself  a  petty  rivulet,  which  scarcely  murmurs 
over  the  pebbles  that  obstruct  its  way— then  it  swells 
into  a  fierce  torrent,  bearing  aH-  before  it — and  then 
again,  like  some  mountain  stream  which  occasional 
rains  have  precipitated  upon  the  valley,  it  sinks  once 
more  into  a  rivulet,  and  finally  leaves  its  channel  dry. 
Such  a  thing  has  happened.  I  do  not  say  that  it  is  now 
happening.  It  would  not  become  me  to  say  so.  But 
if  it  should  occur,  woe  to  the  unlucky  territory  that 
should  be  struggling  to  make  its  way  into  the  Union  at 
the  moment  when  the  opposing  inundation  was  at  its 
height,  and  at  the  same  instant  this  wide  Mediterranean 
of  discretionary  powers,  which  it  seems  is  ours,  should 
open  all  its  sluices  and,  with  a  consentaneous  rush, 
mingle  with  the  turbid  waters  of  the  others." 

The  best  preserved  argument  ever  delivered  in  the 
Supreme  Court,  by  Mr.  Pinkney,  was  the  famous  one 
in*  the  case  of  the  ship  Nereide.-  It  was  evidently  pre-- 
pared  with  great  care,  and  surviving  witnesses  attest 
that  it  was  delivered  with  great  effect. 

"With  menacing  hand, 
Put  forth  as  in  the  action  of  command, 
And  eyes,  that  darted  their  red  lightning  down.1' 

We  are  told  that  Lord  Erskine,  like  many  other 
characters  of  uncommon  acuteness,  had  a  morbid  sensi- 
bility to  the  circumstances  of  the  monupt,  which  some- 
times strangely  enfeebled  his  presence  of  mind;  any 


358  ORATORS    O^YHE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

appearance  of  neglect  in  his  audience,  a  cough,  a  yawn, 
or  a  whisper,  even  among  the  mixed  multitude  of  the 
courts,  and  strong  as  he  was  there,  has  been,  known -to 
disturb  him  visibly.  Pmkney  had  much  of  this  acute 
sensibility,  and  something  of  its  weakness  ;  but  in  him  it 
was  manifested  in  an  extraordinary  attention  to  the 
elegancies  of  dress.  When  he  had  a  cause  of  momentous 
interest  to  conduct,  he  elaborated  every  thing  before- 
hand with  the  utmost  care,  and  came  before  the  supreme 
tribunal  chastely,  but  richly  adorned  within  and  without. 
Conceive  him,  dressed  in  the  top  of  fashion,  perfumed, 
and  gloved,  in  oratorical  attitude,  with  the  most  impe- 
rious air,  delivering  the  following  passage,  while  the 
foam  starts  at  his  mouth  and  adds  terror  to  his  action 
and  look :  "  I  entreat  your 'honors  to  endeavor  a  per- 
sonification of  this  motley  notion,  and  to  forgive  -me  for 
presuming  to  intimate,  that  if,  after  you  have  achieved 
it,  you  pronounce  the  notion  to  be  correct,  you  will 
have  gone  a  great  way  to  prepare  us,  by  the  authority 
of  your  opinion,  to  receive  as  credible  history  4he 
w.ocst  parts  of  the  mythology  of  the  Pagan  world.  The 
Centaur  and  the  Proteus  of  antiquity  will  be  fabulous 
no  longer.  The  prosopopoeia  to  which  I  invite  you  is 
scarcely,  indeed,  within  the  power  of  fancy,  even  in  her 
most  riotous  and  capricious  <  mood,  when  she  is  best 
able  and  most  disposed  to  force  incompatibilities  into 
fleeting  and  shadowy  combination,  but  if  you  can 
accomplish  it,  it  will  give  you  something  like  the  kid 
and  the  lion,  the  jamb  and  the  tiger  portentously  incor- 
porated, with  %ppcity  and  meekness  co-existent  in  the 


WILLIAM    PIXKNB*.  359 

result,  and  equal  as  motives  of  action.  It  will  give  you 
a  modern  Amazon,  more  strangely  constituted  than 
those  with  whom  ancient  fable  peopled  the  borders  of 
the  Thermodon — her  voice  compounded  of  the  tre- 
mendous shout  of  the  Minerva  of  Homer  and  the 
gentle  accents  of  a  shepherdess  of  Arcadia — with  all  the 
faculties  and  inclinations  of  turbulent  and  masculine 
War,  and  all  the  retiring  modesfy  of  virgin  Peace. 
We  shall  have  in  one  personage  the  pharetrata  Camilla 
of  the  ^neid,  and  the  Peneian  -maid  of  the  Metamor- 
phosis. We  shall  have  .Neutrality,  soft  and  gentle,  and 
defenceless  irt  herself,  yet  clad  in  the  panoply  of  her 
warlike  neighbors — with  the  frown  of  defiance  upon  her 
brow,  and  the  smile  of  conciliation  upon  her  lip — with 
the  spear -of  Achilles  in  one^and  and  a  lying  protesta- 
tion of  innocence  and  helplessness  unfolded  in  the  other. 
-Xay,  if  I  may  be  allowed  so  bold  a  figure  in  a  mere 
legal  discussion,  we  shall  have  the  branch  of  olive 
entwined  around  the  bolt  of  Jove,  and  Neutrality  in 
the  act,  of  hurling  the  former,  under  the  deceitful  cover 
of -the  latter." 

The  above  is  a  fine  instance  of  the  transformation  of 
metaphors  into  arguments ;  for  as  copious  as  the  'figures 
are,  it  will  be  found,  on  consulting  ihe  matters  under 
discussion,  that  none  of  them  are  impertinent,  provided 
the  position  assumed  is  correct.  This,  unfortunately 
for  the  eloquent  advocate  in  this  instance,  was  not  the 
fact.  The  ethereal  intellect  of  Chief  Justice  Marshall 
detected  the  sophism,  and  beautifully  interpreted  the 
law  in  its  relation  to  this  case.  But  tijg  magnificence 


360  ORATORS    OP"  THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

of  the  speech  overruled  imparted  something  of  its 
charms  to  the  judgment  of  the  court,  as  it  was  rendered 
by  its  chief  in  language  like  the  following: 

"  With  a  pencil  dipped  in  the  most  vivid  colors,  and 
guided  by  the  hand  of  a  master,  a  splendid  portrait  has 
been  drawn,  exhibiting  this  vessel  and  her  freighter  as 
forming  a  single  figure,  composed  of  the  most  discord- 
ant materials  of  Peace  and  War.  So  exquisite  was  the 
skill  of  the  artist,  so  dazzling  the  garb  in  which  the 
figure  was  presented,  that  it  required  the  exercise  of  that 
cold  investigating  faculty  which  ought  always  to  belong 
to  those  who  sit  on  this  bench,  to  discover  its  only  im- 
perfection— its  want  of  resemblance. 

"  The  Nereide  has  not  that  centaur-like  appearance 
which  has  been  ascribed  Jp  her.  She  does  not  rove 
over  the  ocean,  hurling  the  thunders  of  war,  while 
sheltered  by  the  olive  branch  of  peace.  She  is  an  open 
and  declared  belligerent ;  claiming  all  the  rights,  and  sub- 
ject to  all  the  dangers,  of  the  belligerent  character.  The 
characters  of  the  vessel  and  cargo  remain  as  distinct  in 
this  as  in  any  other  case." 

Mr.  Pinkney  was  every  way  a  patriot.  When  the 
British,  under  General  Ross,  meditated  an  attack  on 
Washington,  he  accepted  the  command  of  a  volunteer 
corps,  and  marched  to  Bladensburg,  where  he  was 
severely  wounded. 

In  Mareh,  1816,  he  was  again  called  to  the  diplomatic 
service  of  his  country,  being  induced  to  accept  the  ap- 
pointment of  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  the  court  of 
Russia,  and  of  «oecial  Minister  to  that  of  Naples.  Soon 
after  this  double  mission  had  been  conferred  upon  him, 


WILLIAM    PINKNEY.  361 

in  a  conversation  with  one  of  his  friends,  he  said : 
"  There  are  those  who  wonder  that  I  will  go  abroad, 
however  honorable  the  service.  They  know  not  how  I 
toil  at  the  bar;  they  know  not  all  my  anxious  days  and 
sleepless  nights;  I  must  breathe  awhile;  the  bow  for 
ever  bent  will  break ;"  "  besides,"  he  added,  "  I  want  to 
see  Italy;  the  orators  of  Britain  I  have  heard,  but  I 
want  to  visit  that  classic  land,  the  study  of  whose  poetry 
and  eloquence  is  the  charm  of  my  life ;  I  shall  set  my 
foot,  on  its  shores  with  feelings  that  I  cannot  describe, 
and  return  with  new  enthusiasm,  I  hope  new  advantages, 
to  the  habits  of  public  speaking." 

This  is  the  language  of  a  true  man  and  a  true  devotee 
at  the  shrine  of  excellence.  He  who  does  the  most,  is 
the  least  vain  of  his  work.  ,  Genius,  like  the  Apostle 
Paul,  looks  beyond  the  present,  and  sees  things  indescri- 
bable. The  Iliad,  the  Parthenon,  York  Minster,  the 
Transfiguration  of  the-  Vatican,  and  the  Oratorio  of 
Creation,  when  executed,  were  thrown  behind  their 
authors  as  incomplete  embodiments  of  their  thought. 
No  true  orator  yet  .was  ever  satisfied  with  his  best 
achievements.  The  greatest  triumphs  never  make  the 
consummate  hero  vain,  for  he  has  a  vivid  perception  of 
the  immense  interval  that  lies  between  what  he  does, 
and  what  he  conceives  ought  to  be  done. 

In  1818,  Mr.  Pinkney  solicited  his  recall  from  Russia, 
which,  being  granted,  he  entered-  with  fresh  zeal  upon 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  the  Supreme  Court. 
In  1820,  he  took  his  seat  in  the  American  Senate,  whore 
he  displayed  extraordinary  abilities,  while  he  still  eon- 
ducted  an  immense  law  business,  "  The  success  which 
16 


362  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

attended  him  every  where,"  says  his  biographer,  "  was  as 
much  the  effect  of  extraordinary  diligence  and  labor  as 
of  his  genius  and  rare  endowments  of  mind.  He  was 
never  satisfied  with  investigating  his  causes,  and  took 
infinite  pains  in  explaining*  their  facts  and  circum- 
stances, and  all  the  technical  learning  connected  with 
them.  He  constantly  continued  the  practice  of  private 
declamation  as  a  useful  exercise,  and  was  in  the  habit 
of  premeditating  his  pleadings  at  the  bar,  and  his  other 
public  speeches, — not  only  as  to  the  general  order  or 
method  to  be -observed  in  treating  his  subject,  the 
authorities  to  be  relied  on,  and  the  leading  topics  of 
illustration,  but  frequently  as  to  the  principal  passages 
and  rhetorical  embellishments.  These  he  sometimes 
wrote  out  beforehand;  not  that  he  was  deficient  in 
facility  or  fluency,  but  in  order  to  preserve  the  com- 
mand of  a  correct  and  elegant  diction." 

Mr.  Pinkney  continued  his  professional  labors  at  the 
session  of  the  Court  in  1822,  with  the  intensest  applica- 
tion and  desire  of  success.  On  the  17th  of  February, 
he  was  attacked  by  a  severe  indisposition,  brought  on, 
doubtless,  by  great  exertion  in  preparing  for  an  impor- 
tant debate.  On  the  25th  of  the  same  month  he  expired, 
and  was  entombed  in  the  Congressional  bury  ing-ground. 
Richard  Henry  Wilde,  a  great  and  good  man,  recently 
a  victim  to  the  pest  in  New  Orleans,  thus  speaks  of  him 
in  his  "  Stars  of  the  Fourteenth  Congress."  "  There  was 
a  gentleman  from  Maryland,  whose  ashes  now  sleep  in 
our  cemetery.  It  is  not  long  since  I  stood  by  his  tomb, 
and  recalled  him,  as  he  was  then,  in  all  the  pride  a'nd 
power  of  his  genius.  Among  the  first  of  his  countrymen 


WILLIAM    PINKNEY.  363 

and  cotemporaries  as  a  jurist  and  statesman,  first  as  an 
orator,  he  was,  if  not  truiy  eloquent,  the  prince  of  rhe- 
toricians. Nor  did  the  soundness  of  his  logic  suffer 
any  thing  by  a  comparison  with  the  richness  and  classi- 
cal purity  of  the  language  in  which  he  copiously  poured 
forth  those  figurative  illustrations  of  his  argument,  which 
enforced  while  they  adorned  it.  But  let  others  pro- 
nounce his  eulogy.  I  must  not.  I  feel  as  if  his  mighty 
spirit  still  haunted  the  scene  -of  his  triumphs,  and,  when 
I  dared  to  wrong  them,  indignantly  rebuked  me." 

Awed  by  this  solemn  dissuasive  from  a  critical  judg- 
ment on  the  merits  of  the  departed  master  whose  pro- 
fessional character  we  have  attempted  briefly  to  de- 
lineate, it  is  indeed  difficult  any  farther  to  proceed. 
But  it  is  because  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  so 
admirable  as  a  whole,  that  we  should  the  more  carefully 
scan  the  degree-  and  complexion  of  his  faults.  No 
one  is  perfect,  and  the  imperfections  of  the  best  are 
the  most  instructive  of  all.  It  was  not  from  the  pro- 
ductions of  mediocrity,  but  from  the  master-pieces  of 
Euripides  and  Phidias,  that  the  refined  critics  of  Greece 
took  their  exampPes  of  error.  "  Go  to  the  Parthenon," 
said  the  sculptor  to  his  aspiring  pupil,  "and  find  "not 
what  bunglers  but  what  great  men  have  left  undone." 

We  have  seen  that  after  Mr.  Pinknev's  long  residence 

f  «  0 

in  Lonclon,  and  habitual  attendance  in  Westminster 
Hall,  he  adopted  a  mode  of 'address  much  more  violent 
than  that  which  graced  the  beginning  of  his  public 
career.  In  the  opinion  of  many  judicious  persons,  the 
change  was  no  improvement,  and  the  elegance  of  his 
elocution  did  not  keep  pace  with  the  augmentation  of 


364          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

his  intellectual  stores.  One  who  studied  him  much  and 
wisely,  has  said  that  "  his  mind  was  of  an  order  that 
coukl  rather  acquire  than  create.  Argumentative  and 
subtle ;  his  figures  of  speech,  his  flights  of  fancy,  cost 
him -more  labof  than  his  argument;  he  almost  always 
wrote  them  out,  and  committed  them  to  memory.  His 
fancy 'did  not  grow  out  of  his  subject,  like  the  leaf  from 
the  summer  bough;  it  was  rather  stuck  on  it,  like  a 
flower  in  a  cap,  for  display ;  and  a  certain  chilliness 
reminded  us  that  it  was  a  hot-house  plant — a  forced 
cultivation.  Yet  as  a  lawyer,  I  know  not  his  superior ; 
and  no  man  could  do  better  than  to  confide  his  case  to 
Mr.  Pinkney — because  he  never  neglected  it,  through 
indolence,  pleasure,  or  inattention ;  and,  if  he  took  it  in 
hand,  he  attended  to  it,  not  more  for  emolument,  than 
for  success  and  fame."  This  is  explicit,  and,  without 
doubt,  just.  From  all  we  can  learn,  he  was  generally 
most  frigid  when  he  was  most  vociferous.  This  is 
usually  the  case.  Unlike  the  dread  scene  at  Sinai,  the 
lightnings  blaze  and  the  thunders  crash,  but  no  law  is 
delivered.  Like  begets  like.  When  noisy  declamation 
proceeds  from  the  head  rather  than  the  heart,  it  is  the 
head  only  that  "it  will  reach.  He  was  erudite  in  legal 
knowledge,  ingenious  and  stringent  in  argument,  some- 
times fanciful  to  excess,  but  not  often  truly  impassioned. 
His  tumult  was  more  like  the  falling  of  an  aw&anche 
than  the  bursting  of  a  volcano. 

The  practice  of  accurate  premeditation  and  careful 
composition,  we  have  several  times  observed,  was 
habitual  with  Mr.  Pinkney.  In  this  respect  he  was 
directly,  opposed  to  that  great  master  of  the  English 


WILLIAM  PINKNEY.  305 

forum,  whom  in  many  traits  he  resembled,  Charles 
James  Fox.  Brougham  says  of  the  latter  that,  "  One  of 
his  worst  speeches,  if  not  his  worst,  is  that  upon  Francis, 
Duke  of  Bedford;  and  it  is  known  to  be  almost  the  only 
one  he  ever  much  prepared,  and  the  only  one  he  ever 
corrected  for  the  press."  But  that  such  careful  prepara- 
tion offers  no  necessary  impediment  to  the  most  enrap- 
turing oratory  is  evident  from  the  example  of  Sheridan. 
It  is  notorious  that  he  never  made  a  speech  of  any  im- 
portance, without  first  writing  out  its  main  points  and 
most  thrilling  passages  over  and  over  again.  Indeed, 
when  his  affairs  became  so  deranged  as  to  forbid  such 
minute  and  elaborate  preparation,  he  ceased  to  speak  in 
public  altogether.  Still,  in  the  instance  of  our  country- 
man, the  fastidiousness  of  his  taste  may  have  chilled  the 
fervor  of  his  emotions.  That  which  serves  best  in  a 
written  disquisition  is  often  least  effective  in  spoken 
discourse.  It  has  been  said  that  a  didactic  poet  is  a 
contradiction  in  terms;  the  remark  is  equally  true  in 
respect  to  didactic  eloquence.  In  a  popular  audience, 
it  is  never  penoitted  to  make  the  hearer  a  mere  pas- 
sive UstenejdBfes-  presence  must  be  felt  by  the  speaker, 
and  he  must  not  only  be  identified  with  the  passing 
scene  but  kindled  into  sympathy  by  direct  personal 
appeals. 

Aristotle,  speaking  of  certain  old  philosophers,  com- 
pared them  to  undisciplined  gladiators,  who  strike  at 
random  instead,  of  right  forward,  and  therefore  fight 
with  IrttieviQlSiBt,  though  they  may  occasionally  deal  a 
powerful  blofr.  '  Our  hero  was  too  well  trained  to  strike 
much  at  random,  and  he  had  too  much  force  in  all  his 


366     ORATORS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 

well-aimed  blows  to  fail  in  felling  his  unwary  antagonist 
to  the  ground.  From  the  ordinary  placidity  which 
characterizes  the  forensic  eloquence  of  our  age,  Pink- 
ney  as  widely  differed,  as  the  style  of  Addison  differs 
from  that  of  Dryden.  The  former  has  been  liken- 
ed to  a  clear  and  transparent  stream,  whose  motion  is 
too  gentle  to  ruffle  the  surface  or  sully  the  purity  of  its 
waters;  whilst  that  of  Dryden  "has  the  impetuosity  of 
a  torrent,  which  often  tears  the  weeds  from  its  banks, 
and  stirs  up  the  ooze  from*  the  bottom  of  its  channel ; 
but  that  ooze  is  mixed  with  grains  of  precious  gold,  and 
those  weeds  contain  amongst  them  flowers  of  the  most 
delightful  hue  and  odor;  whilst  the  very  swiftness  of 
the  current  fixes  our  regard  more  intensely  than  the 
•tranquil  surface  of  the  gentler  stream.  He  seems  to 
have  principally  aimed  at  being  strong  and  forcible,  and 
to  this  object,  every  minor  consideration  is  sacrificed." 
After. all  is  said,  it  must  be  acknowledged  that  the 
faults  of  Mr.  Pinkney's  manner  were  lost  in  the  efful- 
gence of  his  matter,  as  the  fervor  of  the  sun  hides  its 
own  spots.  There  was  a  vast  body  as  well  as  mo- 
mentum in  his  argumeni ;  a  power  that  generates  suc- 
cess, daunts  opposition,  and  annihilates  u^Jpance.  Like 
the  giants  of  ancient-  mythology,  he  was  in  his  sphere 
and  mode  an  ideal  of  Strength.  For  ever  should  he  be 
admired  for  his  industry  and  patriotism.  With,  all  the 
advantage  of  uncommon  outward  talents,  so  intense 
and  habitual  was  his  love  of  intellectual. improvement,' 
that  he  considered  every  hour  deducted  from  study  as 
worthy  of  a  black  pebble.  Titus  never  more  deeply 
mourned  the  loss  of  a  day.  What  the  greatest  of  Irish 


WILLIAM    PINKNEY.  367 

orators  said  of  the  best  of  English  statesmen  may  not 
unjustly  be  said  of  Pinkney,  and  to  have  deserved  the 
encomium  is  an  honor  sufficient  to  prompt  and  reward 
the  ambition  of  any  man.  "No  state  chicanery,  no 
narrow  system  of  vicious  politics,  no  idle  contests  for 
mere  party  victories,  regardless  of  principle,  ever  sunk 
him  to  the  vulgar  level  of  the  so  called  great." 


CHAPTER  XI\r. 
WILLIAM    W I R  T  , 

THE  ELEGANT  ADVOCATE. 

ELOQUENT  and  upright  lawyers  have  ever  been  among 
the  first  to  resist  oppression  and  promote  human  weal. 
Demosthenes,  who  roused  the  Athenians  to  resist  the 
tyranny  of  Philip,  was  an  advocate.  Cicero,  the  -anta- 
gonist of  oppressors  and  the  savior  of  his  country,  was 
an  advocate.  When  Charles  the  First  commenced  his 
despotic  exactions,  it  was  the  advocates  of  England 
who  first  breasted  the  torrent.  France  was  rev 
lionized  by  advocates ;  and  her  best  patriots  at  t 
moment  are  the  ablest  leaders  at  her  bar.  When  the 
enormities  of  Great  Britain  threatened  subjugation  to 
her  colonies  in  the  west,  it  was  the  voice  of  such  advo- 
cates as  Otis,  Henry  and  Adams,  that,  like  a  Paladin's 
horn,  roused  the  people  of  America  to  conquest  and 
liberty.  From  the  first-  planting  of  republican  institu- 
tions in  our  land,  advocates  have  perpetually  kindled 
the  beacon-lights  of  patriotism  and  law — "  hope  of  the 
fettered  slave  and  glory  of  the  free."  Prominent  in  this 
noble  class  was  .  - 

William  Wirt.     His  parents  were   a   Swiss   and   a 


WILLIAM    WIRT.  369 

German,  who  resided,  at  the  time  of  his  birth,  Nov.  8th, 
1772,  at  Bladensburg,  near  Washington.  His  father 
died  when  he  was  an  infant ;  and  his  mother  when  he 
was  buts  eight  years  old.  Like  most  great  men,  he  was 
early  left  orphaned  of  every  thing  but  resolution  and 
hope,  to  antagonize  with  worldly  adversity,  and,  in  the 
midst  of  storms,  to  build  his  fortunes. 

After  suitable  preparatory  studies,  he  went  to  Lees- 
burg,  Virginia,  and  when  seventeen  years  old,  com- 
menced the  -study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Mr.  Swann. 
He  seems  to  have  prosecuted  his  studies  with  great 
diligence  and  success.  Among  other  good  influences 
under  which  his  mind  was  there  developed,  he  was  ever 
of  the  opinion  that  he  derived  -much  advantage  from  the 
beauty  and  sublimity  of  the  natural  scenery  which  en- 
compassed him.  Undoubtedly,  his  conclusion  on  that 
point  was  correct".  *  There  is  always -a  striking  resem- 
blance between  the  predominating  character  of  local 
scenery  and  the  T*0Rids  matured  under  its  influence. 
Edmund  Burke  greV  up  amid  the  most  gorgeous 
scenery  of  Ireland,  and  Daniel  Webster  was  cradled 
in  the  bosom  of  the  White  Mountains  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, where  all  in  nature  is  cool,  colossal,  sublime. 

Mr.  Wirt  obtained  his  license  to  practice  law  in  1792, 
a  few  days  before  he  was  twenty  years  old.  The  first 
cause  in  which  he  was  engaged  was  in  Culpepper 
County,  on  which  occasion  his  argument  is  said  to  have 
been  firm,  collected  and  successful. 

For  several  years,  Hk  resided  in  the  family  of  Dr.  G. 
Gilmer,  whose  daughter  he  married  in  1795.  The 

Doctor  had  a  high  professional  and  classical  reputation, 
16* 


370  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

and  was  on  familiar  terms  with  the  first  men  of  the  day. 
Here  Wirt  became  acquainted  with  Monroe,  Madison, 
Jefferson,  and  other  eminent  citizens,  whose  learning 
he  emulated,  and  in  whose  society  he  greatly  improved. 

After  the  death  of  his  wife,  in  1799,  he  was  elected 
Clerk  of  the  House  of  Delegates  of  Virginia,  which 
brought  him  into  the  sphere  of  some  of  his  greatest 
achievements.  His  first  appearance  in  Richmond,  as  a 
speaker,  was  upon  the  4th  of  July,  1800,  and  in  the 
celebrated  trial  of  Callender.  In  1802,  he  was  elected 
Chancellor  of  the  Lower  District  of  the  Chancery  Court, 
held  at  Williamsburg.  In  the  autumn  of  that  year  he 
married  Miss  Gamble,  who  survived  him.  During  thir- 
teen years,  the  time  of  his  residence  at  Richmond  and 
Norfolk,  he  conducted  a  great  many  civil  and  criminal 
causes,  and  competed  successfully  with  the  Tazewells, 
Taylors,  Wickhams,  Randolphs,  and  other  distinguished 
men  who  adorned  the  Virginia  bar. 
.  One  of  the  first  trials  which  Qjjkgaged  his  attention, 
after  his  return  to  Richmond,  anS  which  gave  him  a 
wide  reputation,  was  the  prosecution  of  Aaron  Burr,  in 
1807.  To  him,  as  muclj  as  to  any  of  the  counsel  en- 
gaged, belonged  the  commendation  of  the  court,  that 
"  a  degree  of  eloquence,  seldem  displayed  on  any  occa- 
sion, embellished  solidity  of  argument  and  depth  of 
research." 

In  1808,  Mr.  Wirt  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates from  Richmond,  and  during  that  year  drew  up 
several  important  State  papers*  The  British  Spy  was 
written  in  1803;  the  Old  Bachelor,  in  1812;  and  in 
1817,  he  published  the  Life  of  Patrick  Henry. 


WILLIAM    WIRT. 


In  1816,  Mr.  Madison  appointed  Mr.  Wirt  District- 
Attorney  for  Virginia  ;  and  in  the  following  year,  at  the 
age  of  forty-five,  he  was  appointed  by  Mr.  Munroe, 
Attorney-General  of  the  United  States.  Unlike  his  pre- 
decessors, he  removed  permanently  to  Washington,  and 
continued  there  throughout  eleven  years  and  four 
months,  more  than  twice  the  time  the  office  had  been 
held  by -any  other.  He  was  very  strict  in  his  attention 
to  official  duties,  and  exceedingly  laborious.  He  insti- 
tuted a  new  practice  in  the  office,  and  not  only  filed 
every  document  for  future  reference,  but  made  a  regular 
record  of  every  official  opinion  and  letter  he  wrote. 
Three  large  volumes  of  this  kind  he  left  for  the  use  of 
the  future  historian  of  the  jurisprudence  of  the  country, 
more  valuable  material,  no  doubt,  than  can  be  gathered 
from  all  the  previous  incumbents  of  his  office  since  the 
government  was  formed. 

In  1826,  at  the  request  of  the  citizens  of  Washington, 
he  delivered  an  eulogy  on  Adams  and  Jefferson.  It 
was  deemed  one  of  the  most  masterly  productions 
which  that  melancholy  event  occasioned.  In  the  winter 
of  1822,  he  was  severely  attacked  by  a  disease  resem- 
bling apoplexy,  and  was  compelled  to  resign  his  position 
as  Attorney-General. 

But. he  did  not  cease  to  prosecute  with  ardor  the  duties 
of  bis  profession.  His  aid  was  sought  by  individuals, 
by  corporations,  by  States,  and  even  by  the  government 
itself,  in  matters  of  the  greatest  importance.  He  visit- 
ed every  part  of  the  Uaion,  in  his  professional  capacity, 
and  every  where  commanded  admiration,  byjiis  great 
legal  and  personal  worth. 


372  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

Having  now  glanced  over  the  greater  part  of  his 
career  as  an  advocate,  we  propose  in  ampler  detail  to 
delineate  his  character  and  examine  his  claims  on  our 
regard.  Let  us  inquire  into  his  scholarship,  his  effi- 
ciency as  a  lawyer,  and  his  excellence  as  a  man. 

Mr.  Wirt  enjoyed  no  collegiate  course  of  studies  in 
early  life,  but  from  the  first  he  was  habitually  studious, 
and  before  the  meridian  of  his  manhood  he  had  become 
a  ripe  proficient  in  the  classics,  both  ancient  and 
modern.  Horace,  Virgil,  Cicero,  and  Seneca,  were  his 
favorite  Latin  authors  ;  the  first  was  a  constant  inmate 
of  his  valise  in  all  his  visitations  to  county  courts,  and 
often  his  companion  late  at  night.  His  juvenile  tastes 
inclined  to  works  of  fiction  ;  but  in  maturer  life  he  pre- 
ferred Bacon,  Boyle,  Locke,  and  Hooper.  His  reading 
was  incessant,  discriminating,  and  comprehensive.  He 
ranged  over  the  whole  domain  of  letters  and  science 
with  irrepressible  ardor.  It  was  his  custom  to  prosecute 
the  study  of  the  philosophy  of  law  always  in  connection 
with  the  philosophy  of  mind.  He  mingled  the  investi- 
gation of  material  sciences  with  the  highest  spiritual 
truths.  Astronomy,  with  the  natural  phenomena  con- 
nected therewith,  was  a  favorite  theme  with  him,  but 
moral  science  was  his  master  passion.  He  garnered 
rich  stores  of  diversified  knowledge,  much  of  which  was 
contributed  by  the  graceful  Nine  under  Apollo's  care ; 
but,  in  general  his  weapons  were  of  a  sterner  kind,  many 
of  the  most  potent  shafts  of  his  quiver  being  drawn  from 
the  glorious  armory  of  Hooker  and  Chillingworth. 
About  ihe  time  some  poetical  extracts  from  Wirt's 
famous  speecn  against  Burr  were  widely  published,  an 


WILLIAM    VVIRT.  373 

eminent  jurist  expressed  to  one  of  his  most  intimate  and 
learned  friends  a  doubt  as  to  his  possessing  much  ab- 
struse legal  erudition.  "  Your  estimate  is  wrong,'' was 
the  reply.  "  His  true  character  is  that  of  a  laborious, 
profound,  lawyer,  more  conversant  with  the  black  letter 
than  even  with  work's  of  taste,  poetry,  and  fiction." 

It  is  believed  that  Mr.  Wirt.  was,  indeed,  liberally 
educated  to  an  eminent  degree.  His  knowledge  of  his- 
tory, of  the  ancient  and  modern  classics,  and  of  legal 
science,  was  varied  and  profound,  while  his  political  in- 
formation and  sagacity  equalled  his  other  accomplish- 
ments. A  mere  acquaintance  with  the  technicalities  of 
the  law  will  not  constitute  a  successful  lawyer  in 
America.  Eloquence  goes  far  to  make  the  powerful 
advocate  here.  To  this  primary  requisite,  extensive 
learning  of  a  general  character,  and  elegant  acquisitions 
which  shall  fortify  and  adorn  that  eloquence,  must  harmo- 
niously unite.  His  outfit  for  professional  strife  must  be 
practical  as  well  as  profound.  "  He  who  has  collected  his 
knowledge  in  solitude,  must  learn  its  application  by  mix- 
ing with  mankind,"  said  Doctor  Johnson.  On  review- 
ing Mr.  Wirt's  qualifications  as  an  advocate,  and  the 
successful  use  he  made,  of  his  powers,  we  think  that  it 
may  be  said  of  him  justly,  as  was  said  of  George  Can- 
ning, whom,  in  certain  points  he  greatly  resembled : 
"  He  was  any  thing  rather  than  a  mere  scholar.  In  him 
were  combined,  with  a  rich  profusion,  the  most  lively, 
•riginal  fancy — a  happily  retentive  and  ready  memory — 
singular  powers  of  lucid  statement — and  occasionally 
wit  in  all  its  varieties,  now  biting  and  sarcastic  to  over- 
whelm an  antagonist — now  pungent  or  giving  point  to 


374          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

an  argument — now  playful  for  mere  amusement,  and 
bringing  relief  to  a  tedious  statement,  or  lendirig  a  charm 
to  dry  chains  of  close  reasoning." 

It  is  rare  that  genius  is  not  conscious  of  its  own  la- 
tent powers.  However  discouraged  and  prostrate  the 
aspirant  may  be  at  the  outset,  every  great  man  expe- 
riences moments  when  he  rises  in  dignified  pride  against 
those  who  persecute  or  forget  him,  and,  without  wait- 
ing for  the  commemorative  statues  which  admiring  pos- 
terity are  sure  to  erect,  confidently  crowns  himself  with 
his  own  hands. 

"  There  have  bean  those  that  from  the  deepest  caves, 

•  And  cells  of  night,  and  fastnesses,  helow 
The  stormy  dashing  of  the  ocean-waves, 
Down,  farther  down  than  gold  lies  hid,  have  nurs'd 
A  quenchless  hope,  and  watch'd  their  time,  and  burst 
On  the  bright  day  like  wakeners  from  their  graves." 

Wirt  wrote  the  "  British  Spy,"  while  he  was  a  stu- 
dent, or  immediately  after  he  commenced  the  practice" 
of  his  profession.  His  eloquent" description  of  the  novi 
homines,  the  new  men,  was  to  no  one  more  applicable 
than  himself.  The  magnificent  yearnings  embodied  in 
the  essays  written  in  early  manhood  on  the  means  and 
purposes  of  eloquence,  betrayed  his  prevailing  tastes  and 
foretokened  his  success.  "Genius,"  says  Du  Bas,  "is 
an  aptitude,  which  man  has  received  from  nature  to  per- 
form well  and  easily,  that  which  others  can  do  but  indif- 
ferently, arfti  with  a  great  deal  of  pains.  We  learn  to 
execute  things  for,  which  we  have  a.  genius,  with  as 
much  facility  as  we  speak  our  own  mother  tongue." 
There  can.  be  no  doubt  that  Wirt's  genius  was  of  the 


WILLIAM    WIRT.  375 

highest  order,  but  he  began  and  continued  through  his 
whole  splendid*  career  under  the  deep  and  abiding  con- 
viction that  eminent  success  depended  on  the  most  as- 
siduous self-cultivation.  His  favorite  pursuits  indicated 
his  native^  capacities,  and  his  extraordinary  industry 
justified  the  glowing  prophecies  of  his  most  sagacious 
friends.  Every  person  who  has  decided  tastes  and 
fervid  aspirations,  in  other  words,  who  has  a  strong  in- 
dividuality of  his  own,  will  be  forcibly  moved  by  cor- 
responding traits  in  the  objects  he  contemplates  and  the 
excellence  he  adores.  A  man's  favorite  pursuits  and 
most  admired  authors,  even  the  works  of  art  he  most 
enjoys,  are  a  sure  index  to  the  calibre  and  complexion 
of  his  mind.  The  peculiar  delight  felt  in  a  given  pursuit 
or  recreation,  if  carefully  analyzed,  will  be  found  mainly 
to  depend  on  the  resemblance  between  the  object  ad- 
mired and  the  mental  character  of  the  devotee. 

What  Mr.  Wirt's  prevailing  passion  and  pursuits 
were  we  may  easily  learn  from  the  following  extract 
from  an  admirable  letter  of  advice  he  wrote  in  the 
maturity  of  his  life  to  a  young  gentleman  engaged  in 
the  study  of  law.  His  benevolence  and  wisdom  are 
therein  signalized.  "It  requires  a  previous  acquaintance 
with  the  student,  to  ascertain  the  natural  condition,  of 
his  various  powers,  in  order  to  know  which  requires 
the  spur  and  \yhich  the  rein.  In  some  minds,  imagina- 
tion overpowers  and  smothers  all  the  faculties ;  in 
others,  reason,  like  a  sturdy  oak,  throws  all  thf  rest  into 
a  sickly  shade.  Some  men  have  a  morbid  passion  for 
the  study  of  poetry — others,  of  mathematics,  &c.,  &c. 
All  this  may  be  corrected  by  discipline,  so  far  as  it  may 


376          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

be  judicious  to  correct  it.  I  believe  in  all  sound  minds 
the  germ  of  all  the  faculties  exists,  and  may,  by  skillful 
management,  be  wooed  into  expansion  ;  but  they  exist 
naturally  in  different  degrees  of  health  and  strength, 
and  as  this  matter  is  generally  left  to  impulses  of  nature 
in  each  individual,  the  highest  and  strongest  germs  get 
the  start — give  impulse  and  direction  to  the  efforts  of 
each  mind — stamp  its  character  and  shape  its  destiny. 
As  education,  therefore,  now  stands  among  us,  each 
man  must  be  his  own  preceptor  in  this  respect,  and  by 
turning  his  eyes  upon  himself,  and  describing  the  com- 
parative action  of  his  own  powers,  discover  which  of 
them  requires  the  most  tone — which,  if  any,  less.  We 
must  take  care,  however,  not  to  make  an  erroneous 
estimate  of  the  relative  value  of  the  faculties,  and  thus 
commit  the  sad  mistake  of  cultivating  the  showy  at  the 
expense  of  the  solid. 

"A  brave  and  pure  spirit  is  worth  more  than  'half  the 
battle'  not  only  in  preparing  for  life,  but  in  all  its  con- 
flicts. Take  it  for  granted,  there  is  no  excellence  with- 
out great  labor.  Wishing,' and  sighing,  and  imagining, 
and  dreaming  of  greatness  will  never  make  you  great. 
If  you  would  get  to  the  mountain's  top  on  which  the  tem- 
ple of  fame  stands,  it  will  not  do  to  stand  still,  looking, 
admiring,  and  wishing  you  were  there.  You  must  gird 
up  your  loins,  and  go  to  work  with  all  -the  indomitable 
energy  of  Hannibal  scaling  the  Alps.  Laborious  study, 
and  diligent  observation .  of  the  world,  are  both  indis- 
pensable to  the  at^inment  of  eminence.  By  the  former, 
you  must  make  yourself  master  of  all  that  is  known  of 
science  and  letters  ;  by  the  latter  you  must  know  man, 


WILLIAM    WIRT.  377 

at  large,  and  particularly  the  character  and  genius  of 
your  countrymen.  You  must  cultivate  assiduously  the 
habits  of  reading,  tlrinking,  and  observing.  Understand 
your  own  language,  grammatically,  critically,  through- 
out ;  learning  its  origin,  or,  rather,  its  various  origins, 
which  you  may  learn  from  Johnson's  and  Webster's 
Prefaces  to  their  large  dictionaries.  Learn  all  that  is 

• 

delicate  and  beautiful,  as  well  as  strong,  in  the  language, 
and  master  all  its  stores  can  teach.  You  must  never 
be  satisfied  with  the  surface  of  things;  probe  them  to 
the  bottom,  and  let  nothing  go  till  you  understand  it  as 
thoroughly  as  your  powers  will  enable  you.  When 
you  have  mastered  all  the  past  conquests  of  science, 
you  will  understand  what  Socrates  meant  oy  saying, 
that  he  knew  only  enough  to  be  sure  that  he  knew 
nothing.  Seize  the  moment  of  excited  curiosity  on 
any  subject  to  solve  your  doubts ;  for  if  you  let  it  pass, 
the  desire  may  never  return,  and  you  may  remain  in 
ignorance.  The  habits  which  I  have  been  recom- 
mending are  not  merely  for  college,  but  for  life.  Frank- 
lin's habits  of  constant  and  deep  excogitation  clung  to 
him  to  his  last  hour.  Form  these  habits  now;  learn 
all  that  may  be  learned  at  your  university,  and  bring  all 
your  acquisitions  and  your  habits  to  the  study  of  the 
law,  which  you  say  is  your  profession : — and  when  you 
come  to  this  study,  come  resolved  to  master  it — not  to 
play  in  its  shallows,  but  to  sound  its  depths.  Resolve 
to  be  the  first  lawyer  of  your  age,  in  the  depth,  extent, 
variety,  and  accuracy  of  your  •  legal  learning.  Master 
the  science  of  pleading — master  Coke  upon  Littleton — 
and  Coke's  and  Plowden's  Reports — master  Fearne  on 


378  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

Contingent  Remainders  and  Executory  Devises,  till 
you  can  sport  and  play  familiarly  with  its  most  subtle 
distinctions.  Lay  your  foundations  deep,  and  broad, 
and  strong,  and  you  will  find  the  superstructure  com- 
paratively light  work.  It  is  not  by  shrinking  from 
difficult  parts  of  the  science,  but  by  courting  them,  and 
overcoming  them,  that  a  man  rises  to  professional 
greatness.  There  is  a  deal  of  learning  that  is  dry,  dark, 
cold,  revolting — but  it  is  an  old  feudal  castle,  in  perfect 
preservation,  which  the  legal  architect  who  aspires  to 
the  first  honors  of  his  profession  will  delight  to  explore 
and  learn  all  the  uses  to  which  the  various  parts  used 
to  be  put ;  and  he  will  the  better  understand,  enjoy, 
and  relish"  the  progressive  improvements  of  the  science 
in  modern  times.  You  must  be  a  master  in  every 
branch  of  the  science  that  belongs  to  your  profession ; 
the  laws  of  nature  and  of  nations,  the  civil  law,  and  the 
law  merchant,  the  maritime  law,  &c.,  the  chajte  and 
outline  of  all  which  you  see  in  Blackstone's  Commenta- 
ries.. Thus  covered  with  the  panoply  of  professional 
learning,  a  master  of  the  pleadings,  practice,  and  cases, 
and  at  the  same  time  a  great  constitutional  philosophic 
lawyer,  you  must  keep  way,  also,  with  the  march  of 
general  science.  Do  you  think  this  is  requiring  too 
much  ?  Look  at  Brougham,  and  see  what  man  can  do 
if  well  armed  and  resolved. — You  must,  indeed,  be  a 
great  lawyer!  but  it  will  not  do  to  be  a  mere  lawye**- 
mofe  especially  as  you  are  properly  turning  your  mind, 
also,  to  the  political  service  of  your  country,  and  to  the 
study  and  practice  of  eloquence.  You  must,  therefore, 
be  a  political  lawyer  and  historian ;  thoroughly  versed 


WILLIAM    WIRT.  379 

in  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  your  country,  and 
fully  acquainted  with  all  its  statistics,  and  the  his- 
tory of  all  the  leading  measures  which  have  distinguished 
the  several  administrations — you  must  study  the  debates 
in  Congress,  and  observe  what  have  been  the  actual 
effects  upon  the  country  of  the  various  measures  that 
have  been  the  most  strenuously  contested  in  their 
origin.  You  must  be  a  master  of  the  science  of  political 
economy,  aud  especially  of  financiering,  of  which  so 
few  of  our  countrymen  know  anything. 

But  it  is  time  to  close  this  letter.  You  may  ask  for 
instructions  adapted'  to  improvements  in  eloquence. 
This  is  a  subject  for  a  treatise,  not  for  a  letter.  Cicero, 
however,  has  summed  up  the  whole  art  in  a  few  words ; 
it  is  "  apte — distincte — ornate — dicere" — to  speak  to  the 
purpose — to  speak  clearly  and  distinctly — to  speak 
gracefully : — to  be  able  ft>  speak  to  the  purpose,  you 
must  understand  your  subject  and  all  that  belongs  to 
it : — and  then  your  thoughts  and  method  must  be  clear 
in  themselves,  and  clearly  and  distinctly  enunciated: — 
and  lastly,  your  voice,  style,  delivery  and  gesture,  must  be 
graceful  and  delightfully  impressive.  In  relation  to  this 
subject,  I  would  strenuously  advise  you  two  things :  Com- 
pose much,  and  often,  and  carefully  with  reference  to 
this  same  rule,  "apte,  distincte,  ornate,"  and  let  your  con- 
versation have  reference  to  the  same  objects.  I  do  not 
mean  that  you  should  be  elaborate  and  formal  in  your 
ordinary  conversation.-  Let  it  be  perfectly  simple  and 
natural,  but  always  in  good  time,  (to  speak  as  the 
musician,)  and  weH  enunciated. 

With  regard  to  the  style  of  eloquence  that  you  shall 


380  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

adopt,  that  must  depend  very  much  on  your  own  taste 
and  genius.  You  are  not  disposed,  I  presume,  to  be  a 
humble  imitator  of  a»y  man.  If  you  are,  you  may  bid 
farewell  to  the,  hope  of  eminence  in  this  walk.  None 
are  mere  imitators  to  whom  Nature  has  given  original 
powers.  If  you  are  endowed  with  such  a  portion  -of 
the  spirit  of  oratory  as  can  advance  you  to  a  high  rank 
in  this  walk,  your  manner  will  be  your  own.  I  can  only 
tell  you  that  the  florid  and  Asiatic  style  is  not  the  taste 
Of  the  age.  The  strong,  and  the  rugged  and  abrupt, 
are  far  more  successful.  Bold  propositions,  boldly  and 
briefly  expressed, — pithy  sentences — nervous  common 
sense — strong  phrases — the  feliciter  audax,  both  in  lan- 
guage and  conception — well-compacted  periods — sudden 
and  strong  masses  of  light — an  apt  adage — a  keen  sar- 
casm— a  merciless  personality — a  mortal  thrust — these 
are  the  beauties  and  deformities  that  now  make  a 
speaker  the  most  interesting.  A  gentleman  and  a  Chris- 
tian will  conform  to  the  reigning  taste  so  far  only  as  his 
principles  and  habits  of  decorum  will  permit.  We  re- 
quire tha't  a  man  should  speak  to  the  purpose  and  come 
to  the  point— ^ that  he  should  instruct  and  convince.  To 
do  this,  his  mind  must  move  with  great  Strength  and 
power;  reason  should  be  manifestly  his  master  faculty — 
argument  should  predominate  throughout;  but  these 
great  points  secured,  wit  and  fancy  may  cast  their  lights 
around  his  path,  provided  the  wit  be  courteous  as  well 
as  brilliant,  and  the  fancy  chaste  and  modest.  But  they 
must  be  kept  well  in  the  back-ground,  for  they  are  dan- 
gerous allies  ;  and  a  man  hod  better  be  without  them, 
than  to  show  them  in  front,  or  to  show  them  too  often." 


WILLIAM    WIRT.  381 

We  are  not  aware,  that  a  better  code  of  precepts 
than  the  above  of  the  same  length  exists.  How  fa'r  Mr. 
Wirt  governed  himself  by  his  own  rules,  will  be  indi- 
cated, as,  in  the  second  place,  we-  proceed  to  inquire  into 
his  efficiency  as  an  advocate. 

In  'his  personal  appearance,  he  had  much  about  him 
to  propitiate  popular  favor.  He  possessed  a  fine  person, 
manners  remarkably  conciliating,  and  colloquial  powers 
of  the  highest  order.  The  most  casual  glance  upon  him 
in  repose  or  action,. impressed  the  beholder  with  an  in- 
stinctive sense  of  his  superiority.  His  natural  air  was 
dignified  and  commanding ;  his  countenance  was  broad, 
open,  manly  and  expressive ;  his  eye  was  full  of  fire  and 
feeling ;  his  mouth  denoted  mingled  humor  and  firm- 
ness; and  his  whole  appearance  was  truly  oratorical. 
His  frame  was  large,  but  agile  ;  his  nose  was  Roman, 
his  complexion  pale  and  marked  with  lines  of  thought ; 
his  forehead  was  not  high,  but  broad  ;  his  hair  was 
sandy,  and  his  head  bald  on  the  top.  He  had  great 
original  powers  of  action,  but  spoke  with  a  chastened 
dignity  which  commanded  respect  bordering  on  awe. 
Of  him  it  might  have  been  said,  as  Dryden  in  his  titne 
declared  of  Harte,  that  "kings  and  princes  might  have 
come  to  him,  and  taken  lessons  how  to  comport  them- 
selves with  dignity."  Wirt's  impressiveness  resulted 
from  the  aggregate  of  a  Ciceronian  person,  a  Chatham 
face,  the  voice  of  Anthony,  and  the  mental  qualities  of 
Irving  and  Bowditch,— a  model  of  grace  and  a  master 
of  dialectics, — poetry  and  philosophy  combined.  He 
had  much  of  the  acuteness  of  Marshall,  and  all  the  in- 
trepidity of  Pinkney  ;  but  in  his  composition,  there  was 


382          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

no  want  of  fluency,  and  no  insolence  or  exultation  of 
manner.  Judgment  and  imagination  lay  in  the  balance 
of  his  mind  in  such  delicate  and  equal  proportions  that 
the  scale  seldom  trembled,  and  the  splendors  that  en- 
compassed the  glorious  combination  in  his  mature  life 
were  never  obscured. 

Such  an  advocate  will  be  heard.  The  envious  and 
fastidious  may  pronounce  him  vague,  impalpable  or  dif- 
fuse, and  yet  all  are  compelled  to  listen  to  him  with  that 
spell-bound  emotion  which  is  always  produced  by  noble 
and  harmonious  eloquence  emanating  from  an  honest 
and  impassioned  heart.  Wirt  was  not  a  stranger  to  the 
popular  esteem  which  such  talents  command. 
His  pathos  was  refined  and  thrilling.  He  could  subdue 
all  his  admirable  powers  of  mind  and  voice  to  those  deli- 
cate tones.. which  go  directly  to  the  heart,  like  zephyrs 
changed  to  angelic  strains  as  they  traverse  ./Eolian 
strings.  Such  was  his  power  when  he  described  female 
innocence  and  beauty  abandoned  by  him  who  had  bask- 
ed in  her  smiles,  and  who  should  have  prevented  the 
winds  of  heaven  from  visiting  her  too  roughly,  now  left 
"shivering  at  midnight  on  the  winter  banks  of  the  Ohio, 
and  mingling  her  tears  with  the  torrent,  which  froze  as 
they  fell." 

"Never  tone 

So  thrilled  through  nerve,  and  vein,  and  bone, 
His  eyebrow  dark  and  eye  of  fire 
Showed  spirit  proud  and  prompt  to  ire  ; 
Yet  lines  of  thought  upon  his  cheek 
Did  deep  design  and  counsel  speak." 

Those  who  were  familiar  with,  the  clearness,  melody, 


WILLIAM    WIKT.  383 

and  flexibility  of  Mr.  Wirt's  voice  when  at  the  height 
of  his  fame,  and  his  distinct,  emphatic,  and  unembarrass- 
ed pronunciation,  may  "be  surprised  to  learn  that  when 
he  entered  on  the  practice  of  his  profession,  "  his  utter- 
ance was  thick — his  tongue  clumsy,  and  apparently  too 
large — his  pronunciation  of  words  clipping — and,  when 
excited  by  feeling,  his  voice  unmanageable ;  sometimes 
bursting  out  in  loud,  harsh,  indistinct,  and  imperfect 
articulation."  All  this  he  overcame  through  persever- 
ing cultivation.  -The -miracle  of  the  pebbles  performed 
by  Demosthenes  was  repeated  in  his  own  person.  In 
all  his  life  he  was  a  passionate  and  persevering  votary 
of  elocution  in  the  broadest  sense  of  the  term.  First,  as 
to  language,  as  Dryden  said,  in  one  of  his  criticisms, 
"  the.  third  happiness  of  -this  writer's  imagination  is  elo- 
cution, or  the  art  of  clothing  or  adorning  that  thought 
so  found  and  varied,  in  apt,  significant,  and  sounding 
worBs."  But  over  and  above  the  mere  verbiage  of  his 
spoken  thought,  he  gave  great  attention  to  -gesture, 
which  is  the  language  of  the  body.  "  The  hands  are  the 
common  language  of  mankind,"  said  Cicero,  and  another 
distinguished  Roman  orator  was  accustomed  to  declare, 
that  "  he  was  never  fit  to  talk,  till  he  had  warmed  his 
arm."  So  important-is  a  graceful  manner  in  public  ad- 
dress, that  the  prince  .of  ancient  rhetoricians  laid  it  down 
as  a  primary  maxim,  that  "  it  is  this  alone  that  governs 
in  speaking ;  without  which  the  best  orator  is  of  no 
value,  and  is  often  defeated  by  one,  in  •  other  .respects, 
much  his  inferior." 

"Action  is  eloquence,  and  the  eyes  of  the  ignorant 
More  learned  than  the  ears." 


384  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

The  art  with  which  Mr.  Wirt  came  at  length  to  con- 
ceal his  art  was  consummate — it  was  carried,  perhaps, 
to  a  fault.  He  became  so  fastidious  as  to  the  perfection 
of  his  oratorical  manner  that  he  too  sternly  repressed 
those  natural  outbursts  of  emotion  which  constitute  the 
principal  source  of  eloquence.  It  required  the  most 
sagacious  eye  to  detect  the  artifice,  but  a  master  would 
see  it — or,  we  should  say,  the  fault  was  felt  rather  than 
seen.  What  was  wanting  in  his  ordinary  efforts,  was 
the  talismanic  power  of  evoking  and  controlling  the  pro- 
founder  passions  of  our  nature.  Not  altogether  inappli- 
cable to  Wirt  is  the  criticism  which  an  English  critic 
applied  to  Ca.nning,  whom  we  have  already  intimated 
he  resembled :  "  His  declamation,  though  often  power- 
ful, always  beautifully  ornate,  never  deficient  in  admira- 
ble diction,  was  certainly  not  of  the  very  highest  class. 
It  wanted  depth ;  it  came  from  the  mouth,  not  from  the 
heart ;  and  it  tickled  or  even  filled  the  ear  rather  than 
penetrated  the  bosom  of  the  listener.  The  orator  never 
seemed  to  forget  himself  and  be  absorbed  in  his  theme : 
he  was  not  carried  away  by  his  passions,  and  carried 
not  his  audience  along  with  him.  An  actor  stood  be- 
fore us,  a  first-rate  one,  no  doubt ;  but  still  an  actor;  and 
we  never  forget  that  it  was  a  representation  we  were 
witnessing,  not  a  real  scene.  The  Grecian  artist  was 
of  the  second  class  only,  at  whose  fruit  the  -birds  peck- 
ed;  while,  ou  seeing  Parrhasius's  picture,  men  cried  out 
to  draw  aside  the  curtain  " 

But  there  was  no  radical  deficiency  in  Mr.  Wirt  of 
acute  sensibility  and  refined  imagination.  His  mind 


WILLIAM    WIXT.  385 

..          ift 

origiaally  was  like  a  prism  of  a  thousand  angles,  through 
which  every  ray  of  thought  was  made  to  dazzle  the 
spectator  with  innumerable  resplendent  beams.  In  his 
early  productions,  he  resembles  the  gorgeous  bird  ef 
Juno  that  exhibits  with  ostentation  its  plumage  all  be- 
decked with  emeFald,  sapphire  and  gold.  When  there 
is  an  excess  of  rhetorical  ornament,  the  superfluity  pails 
on  the  taste,  like  a  surfeit  of  honey.  Fires  that  burn 
with  steady  and  perpetual  flame  are  impressive,  as  well 
as  useful;  but  one  is  soon  Tendered  cold  and  discon- 
tented in  the  presence  of  transient  coruscations,  the 
result  of  idle  pyrotechnic  skill,  whieh-flash  for  a  moment 
in  gaudy  hues  that  obscure  the  stars,  and  the  next  mo- 
ment are  lost  in. the  deepened  gloom  of  night.  Natural 
and  impassioned  eloquence  speaks  in  the  lucid  vernacular 
of  all  men,  and  is  comprehended  by  aH ;  while  that  which 
is  artificial,  be  it  never  so  polished,  -is  with  difficulty 
understood ;  one  recites  its  formal  prettiness  on  the 
brink  of  the  abyss  where  truth  lies  drowning  ;  the  other 
descends  with  energy  and  averts  her  fate.  The  effect- 
iveness of  poetry  and  painting  consists  in  their  power 
of  moving  and  pleasing;  and  eloquence,  a  kindred  art, 
is  valuable  in  proportion  as  it  persuades.  To  insure  the 
desired  result,  the  production  must  possess  merits  beyond 
those  of- mere  eleganee  and  regularity.  Connoisseurs 
never  examine  the  works  of  the  old  masters  without 
perceiving  that  they  evidently  considered  the  graces  of 
execution  not  ds  the  ultimate  end  of  their  art,  but  only 
as  means  for  displaying  excellences  of  a  far  superior 

kind.     The  grand  aim  of  an  orator  is  not  to  be  com- 
17 


386  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

mended  for  the  symmetry  and  beauty  of  his  discourse, 
things  that  have  comparatively  little  persuasive  virtue, 
but  to  convince  our  judgments  by  the  force  of  his  argu- 
ments, and  to  move  our  hearts  by  the  pathos  of  his 
appeals.  The  sources  of  these  indispensable  materials 
must  be  native  to  the  soul,  while  art  can  only  supply 
their  judicious  arrangement  and  economical  use.  In 
the  highest  order  of  eloquence,  the  powers  of  language, 
music  and  painting  are  combined;  and  even  this  con- 
centration of  forces  is  augmented  by  the  momentum 
which  natural  emotion  and  appropriate  gesture  impart 
to  it.  We  are  not  so  much  roused  and  inflamed  by 
what  a  great  original  mind  tells  us,  as  by  what  he  en- 
ables us  to  tell  ourselves.  No  intelligent  listener  ever 
heard  a  first  rate  speaker,  without  bearing  away  with 
him  the  consciousness  of  abilities  lie  never  felt  before. 
The  oration  will  seem  not  to  have  been  very  remark- 
able, since  it  was  so  natural ;  and  the  hearer  who  came 
without  an  idea  in  his  head,  goes -a way  q/uite  fluent  with 
admirable  comments  on  the  theme.  The  truth  is,  his 
torpid  nature  has  been  vitalized  by  conaiflg  in  contact 
with  an  ardent  heart;  his  senses  have  been  enlivened, 
his  intellect  has  been  invigorated,  and  the  stagnant  foun- 
tain of  his  affections  has  suddenly  sprung  up  responsive 
to  the  call  of  generous  sentiments. 

The  limited  views  of  persons  prejudiced  and  dwarfed 
in  their  own  character,  do  not  allow  theoj  to  compre- 
hend that  universality  of  talent  which  distinguishes 
men  of  the  highest  order.  When  they  observe  the  pre- 
sence of  the  agreeable,  they  exclude  the  substantial ; 


WILLIAM    WIBT.       ^  387 

when  they  discover  dexterity,  agility,  and  other  phy- 
sical graces,  they  cannot  admit,  as  compatible  with 
these,  the  more  severe  and  effective  graces  of  the  mind. 
Persons  of  one  idea,  and  accustomed  to  single  and  ex- 
clusive views,  find  it  hard  to  credit  the  historical  fact, 
that  Socrates,  the  prince  of  philosophers,  was  skillful  in 
the  dance ;  they  are  equally  unwilling  to  believe  that 
elegant  accomplishments  may  be  intimately  associated 
with  attributes  the  most  vigorous  and  profound.  Such 
used  to  be  the  imputation  cast  upon  Mr.  Wirt,  but 
nobly,  on  a  memorable  occasion,  did  he  repel  and  dis- 
prove it.  The  passage  is  well  worthy  of  careful  perusal, 
as  it  illustrates  many  of  its  author's  qualities — his  ima- 
gination— his  fluency — his  sarcasm  giving  force  to  his 
logic — his  noble  bearing  and  indignant  eloquence. 

To  the  insinuating  depreciations  in  which  Mr.  Wick- 
ham. had  indulged,  in  the  trial  of  Burr,  Wirt  replied  as 
foljows  :  "  I  shall  now  proceed  to  examine  the  motion 
itself,  and  to  answer  the  argument  of  the  gentleman 
who  opened  it.  I  will  treat  that  gentleman  with  candor. 
I  will  not  follow  the  example  which  he  has  set  me  on  a 
very  recent  occasion.  I  will  not  complain  of  flowers 
and  graces  where  none  .exist.  I  will  not,  like  him,  in 
reply  to  an  argument  as  naked  as  a  sleeping  Venus,  but 
certainly  n.ot  half  so  beautiful,  complain  of  the  painfel 
necessity  I  am  under,  in  the  weakness  and  decrepitude 
of  logical  vigor,  of  lifting  first  this  flounce  and  that 
furbelow,  before  I  can  reach,  the.  wisked-for  point  of 
attack.  I  keep  no  flounces  or  furbelows  ready  manufac- 
tured and  hung  up  for  use  in  the  millinery  of  my  fancy, 


388  ORATORS  .-OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

and  if  I  did,  I  think  I  should  not  be  so  indiscreetly  impa- 
tient to  get  rid  of  my  wares,  as  to  put  them  off  on  im- 
proper occasions.  I  cannot  promise  to  interest  you  "By 
any  classical  and  elegant  allusions  to  the  pure  pages  of 
Tristram  Shandy.  I  cannot  give  you  a  squib  or  a 
rocket  in  every  period.  For  my  own  part,  I  have 
always  thought  these  flashes  of  wit  (if  they  deserve  that 
name),  I  have  always  thought  these  meteors  of  the  brain 
which  spring  up  with  such  exuberant  abundance  in  the 
speeches  of  that  gentleman,  which  play  on  each  side  of 
the  path  of  reason,  or  sporting  across  it  with  fantastic 
motion  decoy  the  mind  from  the  true  point  in  debate, 
no  better  evidence  of  the  soundness  of  the  argument 
with  which  they  are  connected,  nor,  give  me  leave  to 
add,  the  vigor  of  the  brain  from  which  they  spring,  than 
those  vapors  which  start  from  our  marshes  and  blaze 
with  a  momentary  combustion,  and  which  floating  on 
the  undulations  of  the  atmosphere  beguile  the  traveller 
into  bogs  and  brambles,  are  evidences  of  the  firmness 
and  solidity  of  the  earth  from  which  they  proceed.  I 
will  endeavor  to  meet  the  gentleman's  propositions  in 
their  full  force  and  to  answer  them  fairly.  I  will  not,  as 
I  am  advancing  towards  them  with  my  mind's  eye, 
measure  the  height,  breadth  and  power  of  the  propo- 
sition, if  I  find  it  beyond  my  strength,  halve  it;  if  still 
beyond  my  strength,  quarter  it;  if  still  necessary,  sub- 
divide it  into  eighths  ;  and  when  by  this  process  I  have 
reduced  it  to  the  proper  standard,  take  one  of  these  sec- 
tions and  toss  it  with  an  air  of  elephantine  strength  and 
superiority.  If  I  find  myself  capable  of  conducting,  by 


WILLIAM    WIRT.  389 

a  fair  course  of  reasoning,  any  one  of  his  propositions 
to  an  absurd  conclusion,  I  will  not  begin  by  stating 
that  absurd  conclusion  as  the  proposition  itself  which 
I  am  going  to  encounter.  I  will  not,  in  commenting  on 
the  gentleman's  authorities,  thank  the  gentleman  with 
sarcastic  politeness  for  introducing  them,  declare  that 
they  concluded  directly  against  him,  read  just  so  much 
of  the  authority  as  serves  the  purpose  of  that  declara- 
tion,, omitting  that  which  contains  the  true  point  of  the 
the  case  which  makes  against  me  ;  nor  if  forced  by  a 
direct  call  to  read  that  part  also,  will  I  content  myself 
by  running  over  it  as  rapidly  and  inarticulately  as  I  can, 
throw  down  the  book  with  a  theatrical  air,  and  exclaim, 
'  just  as  I  said,'  when  I  know  it  is  just  as  I  have  not  said. 
I  know  that  by  adopting  these  arts,  I  might  raise  a  laugh 
at  the  gentleman's  expense,  but  I  should  be  very  little 
little  pleased  with  myself  if  I  were  capable  of  enjoying 
a  laugh  procured  by  such  means.  I  know,  too,  that  by 
adopting  such  arts,  there  will  always  be  those  standing 
around  us,  who  have  not  comprehended  the  whole 
merits  of  the  legal  discussion,  with  whom  I  might  shake 
the  character  of  the  gentleman's  science  and  judgment 
as  a  lawyer.  I  hope  I  shall  never  be  capable  of  such  a 
wish,  and  I  had  hoped  that  the  gentleman  himself  felt  so 
strongly  that  proud,  that  high,  aspiring  and  ennobling 
magnanimity,  which  I  had  been  told  conscious  talents 
rarely  fail  to  inspire,  that  he  would  have  disdained  a 
poor  and  fleeting  triumph  gained  by  means  like  these." 
It  is  a  fine  trait  in  Mr.  Wirt,  that  his  mind  became 
greatly  enriched  and  chastely  splendid,  as  he  advanced 


390  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

in  years.  His  oratorical  talent  was  none  the  less  valua- 
ble for  being  developed  in  the  vigor  of  manhood  ;  like 
the  blossoming  of  the  aloe,  although  long  delayed,  the 
unfolding  of  his  riper  genius  was  marvelous.  At  the 
period  when  ordinarily  the  animal  spirits  flag,  and  fancy 
grows  dim,  his  intellect  blazed  out,  like  the  sacred  flame 
on  the  altar  of  the  fire- worshipper,  at  the  very  moment 
of  threatened  extinction.  In  thisjespect,  he  resembled 
Edmund  Burke,  and  the  most  eloquent  of  the  Hebrew 
prophets,  Isaiah.  He  was  to  the  last  accustomed  to 
invest  the  most  grave  and  important  topics  with  a 
graceful  and  charming  spirit,  and  yet  he  was  one  of  the 
most  thoroughly  practical  men  of  his  day.  The  flowers 
with  which  he  adorned  his  discourse  were  as  strong  of 
stem  as  they  were  beautiful  and  full  of  odor.  The 
results  of  the  most  comprehensive  and  judicious  reading 
were  constantly  poured  forth  through  his  pen  and  living 
voice.  Imagination  blended  with  reason  and  enhanced 
its  force.  Running  through  his  elaborate  masculine 
composition, 

"  Its  veins  like  silver  shine, 

Or  as  the  chaster  hue 
Of  pearls,  that  grace  Some  sultan's  diadem." 

He  never  allowed  indolence  to  "hang  elogs  on  the 
nimbleness  of  his  soul,"  but  by  constant  struggles 
upward,  he  "  plumed  his  feathers  and  let  grow  his 
wings."  Every  theme  he  touched  he  adorned.  Even 
Burr's  infamy  was  glorified  by  the  oratory  which 
detailed  and  avenged  it.  It  is  the  prerogative  of 
patriotic  impeachment  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of 


WILLIAM  wirr.  301 

those  who  would  otherwise  soon  perish  in  ignominous 
oblivion.  Philip-  and  Catiline,  Verres  and  Hastings, 
owe  their  most  endtiring  fame  to  the  accident  of 
being  scathed  by  the  bolts  of  immoFtal  eloquence.  This 
great  prerogative  Wirt  possessed  in  an  eminent  degree. 
In  original  and  striking  combinations,  rich  perspectives, 
dramatic  groupings,  and  the  happy  untea  of  rigid 
argument  and  elegant  illustration,  he  was  hardly  excell- 
ed. The  secret  of  this  extraordinary  power  lay  in  his 
love  of  research,  and  fidelity  to  his  profession. 

Says  Mr.  Southard :  "  His  labor  was  without  limit.  I 
know  of  but  one  individual  (Pink-ney)  who  in  this  re- 
spect equalled  him.  They  both  improved  steadily  and 
rapidly,  to  the  last  moment,  as  advocates,  counsellors, 
and  scholars;  ex-hibiting  to  the  young  aspirant  after 
fame  the  true  and  only  road  ta  eminence ;  and  provmg 
to.  demonstration,  the  error  of  the  common  opinion,  that 
the  mind  attains  its  usefulness,  and  vigor,  and  abund- 
ance, before  the  age  of  forty  or  forty-five;  and  that  the 
struggle  afterwards  is  to  maintain  its  strength  and  ac- 
quirements, and  to  use  them  for  the  individual  and  pub- 
lic benefit.  Their  progress  in  intellectual  wealth,  and 
ks  active  use,  was  at  no  period  more  rapid  than  the  last 
fifteen  years  of  their  lives." 

The  devotion  of  Mr.  Wirt's  whole  soul  to  the  in- 
terests of  his  clients  was  proverbial.  A  lawyer  whe 
does  not  believe  in  hig  heart  that  the  man  for  whom  he 
pleads  ought  to  have  a  verdict,  will  be  very  likely  not 
to  obtain  one.  His  own  unbelief  will  be  the  first  thing 
lodged  in  the  bosoms  of  the  jury,  and  no  perfunctionary 
protestations  will  remove  it.  Swedenbourg  professed  to 


392  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

have  seen  in  the  spiritual  world  a  group  of  persons  en- 
deavoring in  vain  to  express  a  proposition  which  they 
did  not  believe  ;  but  they  could  not,  though  in  repeated 
attempts  they  distorted  their  lips  with  indignation. 

As  an  instance  in  which  it  is  well  known  his  private 
friendship  gave  additional  force  to  his  professional 
energy,  take  the  following  description  by  an  eye-witness, 
Mr.  Thomas.  It  also  illustrates  this  elegant  advocate's 
happy  tact  in  quotation. 

"  One  of  the  most  interesting  cases  ever  witnessed  at 
the  Baltimore  bar  was  a  trial  in  a  mandamus  case,  in 
which  the  right  to  a  church  was  contested.  Mr.  Dun- 
can had  been  established  in  the  ministry,  in  Baltimore, 
by  a  number  of  Scotch  Presbyterians,  in  an  obscure 
edifice.  His  talents  drew  such  a  congregation  that  it 
soon  became  necessary  to  build  a  larger  one.  It  was 
done;  and  in  the  progress  of  events  the  pastor  preached 
a  more  liberal  doctrine  than  he  had  at  first  inculcated. 
His  early  supporters  remained  not  only  unchanged  in 
their  faith,  -but  they  resolved  to  have  it  preached  to 
them  by  one  wfth  whom  they  could  entirely  agree  upon 
religious  matters.  The  majority  of  the  congregation 
agreed  with  Mr.  Duncan.  A  deep  schism  -arose  in  the 
divided  flock  which  could  not  be  healed,  and  which  was 
eventually,  by  a  writ  of  mandamus,  carried  before  a 
legal  tribunal.  Mr.  Taney  was  counsel  for  the  old 
school  side,  and  Mr.  Wirt  for  .the  defendants.  The 
court-room,  during  the  trial,  was  crowded  with  the 
beauty  and  fashion  of  the  monumental  city.  It  was 
such  a  display  of  eloquence,  and  a  full  appreciation  of 
it,  as  is  seldom  witnessed.  Mr.  Wirt  was  always  happy 


WILLIAM    WIRT.  393 

in  making  a  quotation,  and  in  concluding  this  cause  he 
made  one  of  his  happiest.  After  alluding  to  the  old 
school  members,  who,  it  has  been  said,  were  Scotchmen, 
and  after  dwelling  upon  the  tragedy  of  Macbeth,  the 
scenes  of  which  are  laid  in  Scotland,  he  described  their 
preacher  as  being  in  the  condition  of  Macbeth's  guest ; 
and  said,  after  a  stern  rebuke  upon  them,  that  though 
they  should  succeed  in  their  cause,  which  he  felt  confi- 
dent they  would  not,  they  would  feel  like  the  guilty  thane. 

"This  Duncan, 

Hath  borne  his  faculties  so  meek,  hath  been 
So  clear  in  his  great  office,  that  his  virtues 
Will  plead  like  angels,  trumpet-tongued,  against 
The  deep  damnation  of  his  taking  off." 

"  The  quotation  was  made  with  such  oratorical  effect, 
that  there  was  a  deep  silence  when  Mr.  Wirt  took  his 
seat,  which  was  succeeded  by  repeated  outbreaks  of  ap- 
plause." He  gained  the  case. 

A  few  words  only  must  suffice  in  relation  to  Mr 
Wirt's  character  as  a  man.  His  principles  of  conduct 
were  of  an  exalted  order,  guided  by  strict  integrity,  and 
crowned  by  the  purest  moral  worth.  He  never  gave, 
nor  willingly  received,  offence.  The  querulous,  in 
dealing  with  him,  found  themselves  in  the  predicament 
described  by  Dr.  Johnson,  when  he  said  of  Sir  Joshua 
Reynolds,  that  he  was  one  of  those  men  with  whom,  if 
a  person  desired  to  quarrel,  he  would  have  been  most  at 
a  loss  how  to  abuse. 

Above  all,  Mr.  Wirt  was  a  humble  and  consistent 
Christian.     He  had  thoroughly  examined  the  evidences 
of  our  holy  religion   and   openly  became  one   of  its 
17* 


394  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

brightest  ornaments.  The  last  acts  he  performed,  on  the 
day  he  was  seized  with  his  fatal  sickness,  were  those  of 
private  and  public  devotion.  It  was  the  Sabbath.  He 
lingered  a  few  days  in  severe  physical  suffering,  and 
then  expired  in  the  calm  grandeur  of -triumphant  faith. 


CHAPTER   XV. 
THOMAS  ADDIS  EMMET, 

.  ^  ••«—.-•.       •.•'.•     :<t  -." 

THE  ORATOR  OF  DEEP  FEEUN&. 

IRELAND,  in  .its  natural  features,  national  spirit,  and 
moral  history,  is  a  land  of  strange  contrasts.  Ancient 
sovereignty  and  modern  servitude,  the  noblest  virtues 
and  most  ignoble  vices,  intellects  of  the  greatest  splen- 
dor and  hearts  of  the  warmest  affection,  alas !  often 
blinded  with  excess  of  passion  and  chilled  under  ty- 
rannic wrongs, — these  are  some  of  her  national  pecu- 
liarities and  mental  traits.  Her  poets  are  among  the 
oldest  and  the  best ;  her  literati  shine  brightly  amid  the 
chieftest  luminaries  of  art  and  science;  her  martial 
heroes  have  never  been  excelled  ;  and  of  her  statesmen 
it  is  enough  to  say,  that  for  centuries  they  have  been 
what  they  now  are,  the  mightiest  leaders  oflBParliament. 
While  they  had  national  councils  of  their  own,  they 
shone  supremely  in  legislative  wisdom  and  justice  ; 
when  forced  into  alliance  with  England,  they  eclipsed 
the  splendors  they  encountered.  The  brightest  names 
in  English  literature  and  generalship,  science  and  juris- 
prudence, are  Irish. 

But  it  is  in  eloquence,  especially,  that  Ireland  may 


396  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

safely  challenge  the  most  refined  nations  of  modern 
times.  Like  all  things  human,  it  has  its  faults,  some- 
times seen  in  a  superabundance  of  imagery,  and  more 
often  expressed  in  exaggerated  sentiments ;  but  its 
merits  predominate,  and  are  supassingly  grand,  in  force, 
fervor,  passion,  imagination  and  argument.  An  un- 
broken series  of  consummate  orators  illuminate  the 
dreary  history  of  injured  and  abused  Ireland,  like  so 
many  pillars  of  fire.  Prominent  among,  these  stands 
the  name  of  Thomas  Addis  Emmet. 

He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Cork,  in  1765.  His 
parents  were  highly  respectable  inhabitants  of.  that  city. 
At  an  early  age,  the  son  was  plaqed  at  the  University 
of  Dublin,  and  designed  by  his  father  for  the  profession 
of  medicine.  Having  completed  his  classical  course,  he 
was  removed  to  Edinburgh,  where  he  pursued  his  medi- 
cal studies.  On  the  death  of  his  elder  brother,  who 
was  a  member  of  the  Irish  bar,  his  parents  wished  him  to 
change  his  professional  studies ;  to  which  desire  he  as- 
sented. He  went  to  London,  read  two  years  in  the 
Temple,  and  attended  the  courts  at  Westminster.  Hav- 
ing prosecuted  his  preparatory  studies  with  great  care, 
he  returned  to  Dublin,  and  commenced-  practice.  His 
talents,  na^jfal  and  acquired,  were  seen  to  be  of  a  high 
order,  and  he  soon  obtained  distinction  and  business. 

It  \vas  at  this  period  that  a  spirit  of  rebellion  against 
regal  oppression  shook  Ireland  to  the  centre.  Emmet 
was  too  ardent  in  character,  and  too  enthusiastically 
attached  to  his  country  to  remain  indifferent.  He 
deeply  imbibed  the  indignant  resentment  which  every 
where  prevailed  against  British  connection  and  control. 


*     . 

THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET.  397 

When,  in  1795,  the  societies  of  united  Irishmen  were 
revived,  Emmet  ne.t  only  joined  them,  but  soon  became 
a  prominent  leader.  Their  avowed  object  was  revolu- 
tion, and  independence  for  Ireland.-  He  boldly  acted 
as  one  of  the  grand  executive  committee  of  the  socie- 
ties, when  they  were  computed  as  consisting  of  at  least 
five  hundred  thousand  men.  On  March  12,  1798, 
he  was  arrested  and  committed  to  prison  at  Dublin,  as 
a  conspirator.  In  July,  after  a  severe  confinement,  an 
interview  took  place  between  Emmet  and  Lord  Castle- 
reagh,  at  Dublin  Castle,  and  it  was  agreed  that  he  and 
the  other  State  prisoners  should  be  permitted  to  go  to 
the  United  States,  as  soon .  39  they  had  made  certain 
disclosures  of  their  pjans  of  revolution,  in  respect  to  the 
alliance  which  it  was  supposed  had  been  projected 
between  the  united  Irishmen  and 'France.  A  memoir 
of  disclosures  was  delivered,  August  4th,  but  att  names 
involved  were  inflexibly  withheld.  Further  examina- 
tions took  place,  and  Mr.  Emmet  was,  as  he  supposed, 
discharged.  Instead,  however,  of  being  sent  to  the 
United  States,  he  and  nineteen  more  were,  early  in 
1799,  landed  ;n  Scotland,  and  incarcerated  in  a  fortress 
of  Nairn,  called  Fort  George.  This  new  imprisonment 

lasted  three  years.     At  the  expiration  of  that  term  of 

j0, 

injustice,   pardons   arrived  for  all  except  Mr.  Emmet. 

The  governor  of  the  fortress,  however,  took  the  respon- 
sibility to  release  him,  when,  with  his  admirable  wife, 
who  had  shared  unremittingly  his  reverses  and  imprison- 
ment, both  in  Ireland  and  Scotland,  they  were  landed  at 
Cuxhaven,  spent  the  winter  of  1802  in  Brussels,  and 
that  of  1803  in  Paris.  In  October,  1804,  they  sailed 


398  ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

from  Bordeaux  for  this  country,  and  arrived  in  New 
York  on  the  eleventh  of  the  next  month.  Emmet  was 
then  forty  years  old.  He  was  well  qualified  for  both  the 
professions  of  medicine  and  law,  and  hesitated  which  to 
adopt  in  the  new  world  ;  but  his  friends  induced  him  to 
resume  practice  at  the  bar.  His  original  intention  was 
to  remove  at  once  to  Ohio,  but  the  then  governor  of 
the  "Empire  State,"  George  Clinton,  prevailed  on  him 
to  settle  in  New  York.  By  special  dispensation,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  without  delay,  and  by  indefatigable 
industry  rendered  doubly  efficient  by  fervent  eloquence, 
he  rose  rapidly  to  the  first  rank  of  his  profession.  It  is 
said  that  in  the  course  ofca  very  few  years,  he  was  not 
surpassed  in  business  and  fame  by  the  most  -eminent 
lawyers  in  America. 

Having  thus  briefly  glanced  at  Mr.  Emmet's  career, 
up  to  the  time  of  his  landing  on  our  shores,  we  will 
examine  more  minutely  into  his  qualifications,  his 
personal  appearance;  his  progress  in  public  favor,  and 
the  peculiarities  of  his  eloquence-. 

We  have  seen  that  Mr.  Emmet  was  early  and  thor- 
oughly disciplined  in  classical  erudition  and  professional 
training  at  the  best  institutions  of  the  three  kingdoms. 
In  every  field  he  explored,  he  was  distinguished  for 
patient  toil,  critical  observation,  and  rapid  conquests. 
The  variety  of  his  studies,  connected"  with  oAosite 
professions,  probably  had  a  happy  effect  in  liberalizing 
his  mind  with  diversified  and  comprehensive  views.  As 
has  been  already  noted,  it  was  the  unhappy  loss  of  his 
distinguished  and  eloquent  brother  that  induced  Mr. 
Emmet  to  abandon  the  practice  of  medicine  and  aspire 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET.  399 

after  forensic  glory.  He  entered  upon  this  career -at  a 
later  period  in  life  than  is  usual  with  aspirants  after 
excellence  in  the  rugged  and  thorny  path  of  the  law. 
But  his  maturity  was  HO  impediment  to  ultimate  suc- 
cess. -His  mind  had  become  so  well  accustomed  to  the 
generalizations  of  science,  that  ia  about  two  years  he 
reduced  the  chaotic  mass  of  English  law  to  an  organized 
creatien.  Early  in  life  he  had  formed  the  habit  of 
recurring  to  first  principles,  and  this  often  led  him  to 
those  sources  of  legal  knowledge  of  which  Coke,  Hale, 
and  Mansfield  had  drunk.  His  intellect  was  naturally 
inquisitive  and  eager  of  acquisition;  and  his  natural 
tastes,  as  well  as  cultivated  habits,  prompted  him  at  the 
outset  to  lay  a  broad  and  firm  foundation  of  general 
jurisprudence,  such  as  is  seldom  formed  by  the  effemi- 
nate and  timid  hands  of  ordinary  students.  Instead  of 
being  an  injury  to  him,  it  was  undoubtedly  an  advan- 
tage of  the  highest  order  te  have  been  variously  trained 
before  he  caaae  to  make  his  first  efforts  at  combination 
among  the  distracting  and  endless  distinctions  of  law. 
Such  would  be  our  inference  fi^om  the  discipline  and 
professional  success,  of  the  first  orators  .of  every  age. 
Demosthenes,  Cicero,  Lord  Erskine,  and  Patrick  Henry, 
were  each  about  twenty-six  years  old,  when  they  com- 
menced their  forensic  labors.  Sir  James  Mackintosh 
and  Mr.  Emmet  were  still  later  in  their,  studies,  and 
were  both  for  some  time  educated  for  another  profes- 
sion. But  whatever  may  be  our  inferences,  there  can 
be  no  dispute  touching  the  fact  as  to  Mr.  Emmet's  great 
and  invaluable  qualifications  for  the  offioe  he  finally  as- 
sumed and  zealously  prosecuted  until  death.  He  stored 


400  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

his  mind  with  a  profusion  of  knowledge,  profounder  and 
richer  than  was  possessed  by  the  great  majority  of  his 
competitors  ;  and  though  he  was  never  ostentatious  of 
science,  it  imparted  a  reach  of  thought,  variety  of  illus- 
tration, and  energy  of  expression,  which,  aided  by  the 
bold  and  flowing  elocution  so  native  to  the  land  of  his 
birth,  constituted  him  one  of  the  most  agreeable  speakers, 
and  certainly  one  of  the  most  powerful  lawyers,  ever 
heard. 

Mr.  Emmet  was  mamly  anxious  to  be  thoroughly 
grounded  i»  the  substantial  attributes  of  education,  but 
he  did  not  entirely  neglect  the  decorative.  He  was 
eminently  accomplished  for  the  duties  of  his  calling,  but 
it  was  not  altogether  through  his  having  <:  yellowed 
himself  among  rolls  .and  records."  He  had  an  eye 
voracious  of  every  thing  beautiful,  and  a  soul  capacious 
for  every  thing  grand.  His  education  was  liberal,  in 
the  noblest  sense, — a  stupendous,  but  symmetrical  tem- 
ple, "  built  with  the  riches  of  Hhe  spoiled  world."  The 
most  eminent  lawyers  have  ever  been  distinguished  as 
devotees  of  elegant  letters  as  well  as  for  skill  in  rigid 
dialectics.  Lord  Hardwicke  and  Lord  Mansfield  had 
great  fondness  for  the  lighter  productions  of  the  imagi- 
nation ;  Justice  Story  is  well  -known  to  'hav%  been  a 
poet  in  temperament,  taste,  and  practice,  and  so  was 
his  great  master,  Chief  Justice  Marshall.  'Shiel  and 
Talfourd,  the  two  brightest  ornaments  new  living  of  the 
Irish  and  English  bar,  are  as  distinguished  for  dramatic 
excellence,  as  for  being  learned  and  briHiant  advocates. 
Emmet  was  skilled  in  that  erudition  which  is  the  result 
of  long  continued  and  comprehensive  studies.  From 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET.  401 

the  beginning,  and  all  through  life,  he  mingled  constant 
practice  with  copious  acquisition.  It  was  thus  that  he 
learned  to  execute  with  facility  whatever  duty  required 
or  his-  fancy  could  suggest :  "He  read  to  learn,  and  not 
to  quote ;  to  digest  and  master,  and  not  merely  to  dis- 
play." This  blending  of  substantial  and  ethereal  ele- 
ments in  the  nutrimen-t  of  his  mind,  inspired  within  him 
a  vigorous  and  perennial  fountain  of  impetuous  thought. 
He  was  no  mere  passive  vehicle  of  inspiration,  but  an 
active  votary  who  beat  out  much  oil  for  the  sanctuary 
in  which  he  adored.  He-  studied  patiently^  meditated 
profoundly,  investigated  minutely,  till  intuitive  and 
acquired  knowledge  became  wedded  to  his  habitual 
feelings,  and  obedient  to  its  master's  call,  burst  forth 
in  every  emergency  with  that  invincible  and  enraptur- 
ing power  which  rendered  him  great  in  the  foremost 
rank  of  men. 

But  perhaps  the  best  lessons  Mr.  Emmet  ever  learned 
were  acquired  in  the  severe  school  of  adversity.  Under 
the  iron  hoof  of  tyranny,  and  in  dungeon  glooms,  his 
youthful  aspirations  had  been  repelled  and  his  patriot- 
ism scorned.  Our  best  strength  is  generated  in  storms 
rather  than  in  the  calm.  The  only  spiritual  engine 
that  can  be  wielded,  so  as  to  make  all  iniquitous 
powers  tremble  on  tkeir  accursed  thrones,  is  that 
which  they  most  fear,  an  independent  and  eloquent 
soul.  This,  and  this  alone,  can  arraign-  all  princi- 
ples, and  all  tyrants  before  the  tribunal  of  eternal 
right,  and  its  greatest  triumphs  are  always  won  in 
the  sternest  conflicts.  The  waters  must  have  fre- 
quently gone  over  the  soul,  before  it  wins  the  power- 


402    ORATORS  OP  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 

ful  suppleness  to  dart  with  fortitude  under  the  bil- 
lows or  float  in  triumph  amid  their  foamy  crests.  No 
one  will  be  likely  to  think  either  with  depth  or  precision, 
until  he  has  been  made  strongly  to  feel.  Like  the  pre- 
cious gems  and  varied  merchandize  cast  by  wild  waves 
upon  the  strand  near  which  some  richly  freighted  ship 
has  been  wrecked, — such  is  the  spoil  won  by  reflection 
and  stored  in  the  exalted  regions  of  the  mind,  when  the 
tumultuous  passions  which  occasioned  the  conquest  are 
calmed. 

The  following  sketch  of  Mr.  Emmet's  personal  ap- 
pearance is  the  combination  of  various  outlines  from 
different  hands.  He  was  of  the  ordkiary  height,  pos- 
sessing a  body  compactly  formed,  and  stooping  a  little 
ia  the  shoulders.  He  bore  a  frank  and  open  counte- 
nance, strongly  expressive  of  that  native  good  nature, 
which  it  is  so  notorious  he  constantly  exemplified.  He 
was  somewhat  short  sighted,  but  this  did  not  in  the  least 
diminish  the  fascination  of  his  clear,  bright,  blue  eyes. 
Justice  Story  first  made  his  acquaintance  when  a  little 
more  than  fifty  years  old.  The  lines  of  care  were  then 
deeply  traced  upon  his  face  ;  the  sad  remembrances,  it 
was  conjectured,  of  past  sufferings,  and  of  those  corrod- 
ing anxieties  which  eat  their  way  into  the  heart.  There 
was  a  pensive  air  about  him,  jvhich  suggested  to  the 
observer  other  solicitudes  than  those  which  belonged  to 
mere  professional  life.  "  He  was  cheerful,  but  rarely,  if 
ever,  gay;  frank 'and  courteous,  but  he  soon  relapsed 
into  gravity,  when  not  excited  by  the  conversation  of 
others." 

But  mental  stimulus  was  essential  to  the  development 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET.  403 

and  display  of  Mr.  Emmet's  nobler  and  more  command- 
ing trahs,  as  light  is  necessary  to  unfold  the  beauty  and 
grandeur  of  a  landscape.  When  his  soul  was  thoroughly 
aroused,  his  figure  assumed  a  majestic  mien,  every  mo- 
tion of  which  was  graceful ;  an  expressive  countenance 
was  lit  up  by  a  sparkling  and  piercing  eye,  that  almost 
commanded  victory,  while  it  "  spoke  audience  ere  the 
tongue."  While  thus  invested  with  the  robes  of  splen- 
did intellect,  his  person  seemed  made  to  contain  his 
spirit;  his  spirit  filled  and  animated  his  person.  His 
look  answered  to  his  voice,  and  both  spoke  with  simul- 
taneous power  to  the  soul.  He  was  crowned  with  the 
diadem  of  mental  majesty,  and  stood  forth  a  monarch  in 
the  realms  of  eloquence.  He  sounded -the  full  diapason 
of  the  human  spirit,  touched  every  chord  of  passion  in 
himself  and  others,  and  yet,  like  some  tall  cliff  around 
which  the  storm  roars,  with  its  head  reposing  in  the  blue 
serene,  he  preserved  a  stern  self-control  amid  all  the  tumult 
as  it  raged.  He  combined  the  utmost  energy  with  every 
variety  of  expression.  His  transitions  were  rapid,  and 
sometimes  extreme,  but  the  all-absorbing  intensity  of  his 
feelings  forced  them  into  unity  and  gave  them  breadth. 
He  produced  extraordinary  effects  by  a  look,  a  tone,  a 
gesture.  By  nature  and  consummate  art,  he  was  ad- 
mirably endowed  for  forensic  war.  He  had  neither  the 
wart  of  Cicero,  nor  the  stammer  of  Demosthenes ;  he 
had  healthful  lungs  and  graceful  limbs,  melodious  tones 
and  a  hardy  soul,  revivified  by  an  impassioned  organiza- 
tion as  vigorously  developed  as  it  was  rigidly  controlled. 
Since  there  was  such  a  happy  coalition  of  extraor- 
dinary mental  and  physical  qualities  in  Mr.  Emmet,  it 


404  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

cannot  be  a  matter  of  surprise  that  -his  progress  in 
popular  estimation  was  both  rapid  and  triumphant.  In 
1812,  he  was  appointed  Attorney-General  of  the  State 
of  New  Yerk;  and,  in  181LJ,  began  to  practice  before 
the  supreme  tribunal  at  Washington.  To  succeed  in 
this  most  exalted  forum  of  the  nation,  requires  the  ex- 
ercise of  the  ripest  knowledge  of  jurisprudence  and 
the  clearest  logical  acumen.  "  Before  such  a  bar,  as 
adorns  that  court,  where  some  of  the  abjest  men  in  the 
Union  are  constantly  found  engaged  in  arguments,  it  is 
difficult  for  any  man  long  to  sustain  a  professional  cha- 
racter of  distinction,  unless  he  has  solid  acquirements 
and  talents  to  sustain  it."  But  Emmet's  success  was 
founded  on  a  power  superior  to  the  ordinary  gifts  that 
command  popular  favor — to  undoubted  genius  there  was 
superadded  that  moral  interest  which  irresistibly  com- 
mands the  best  sympathies  of  an  audience.  He  had 
conducted  himself  with  such  gentleness  and  dignity 
through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  adversity,  persecution, 
imprisonment,  and  exile,  that  every  generous  heart  took 
pleasure  in  contemplating  the  splendor  of  his  talents  as 
he  exercised  them  without  ostentation  on  the  serene 
heights  of  prosperity  and  fame.  Justice  Story  pre- 
sents us  the  following  interesting  statement  in  point : 

"  It  was  at  this  time  that  Mr.  Pinkney,  of  Baltimore, 
one  of  the  proudest  names  in  the  annals  of  the  Ameri- 
can bar,  was  in  the  meridian  of  his  glory.  Mr.  Emmet 
was  ja  new  and  untried  opponent,  and  brought  with  him 
the  ample  honors,  gained  at  one  of.  the  most  distin- 
guished bars  in  the  Union.  '  In  the  only  causes  in 
which  Mr.  Emmet  was  engaged,  Mr.  Pinkney  was  re- 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET.  405 

tained  on  the  other  side  ;  and  each  of  these  causes  was 
full  of  inr>portant  matter,  bearing  upon  the  public  policy 
and  prize-law  of  the  country  Curiosity  was  awakened ; 
their  mutual  friends  waited  for  the  struggle  with  im- 
patient eagerness ;  and  a  generous  rivalry,  roused  by 
the  public  expectations,  imparted  itself-  to  their  bosoms. 
A  large  and  trury  intetirgBnT  "audience  was  present  at 
the  arguHient-of  the  first  causfe.  It  was  not  one  which 
gave  much  scope  to  Mr.  Emmet's  peculiar  powers. 
The  topic  was  one  with  which  he  was  not  very  fa- 
miliar. He  was  new  in  the  scene,  and  somewhat  em- 
barrassed by  its  novelty.  His  argument  was  clear  and 
forcible  ;  but  he  was  -  conscious'that  it  was  not  one  of 
his  happiest  efforts.  On  the  other  hand,  his  rival  was 
perfectly  familiar  with  the  whole  range  of  prize-law  ; 
he  was  at  home,  both  in  the  topic  and  the  scene.  He 
won  an  easy  victory,  and  pressed  his  advantages  with 
vast  dexterity,  and,  as  Mr.  Emmet  thought,  with  some- 
what of  the  display  of  triumph.  The  case  of  the  Ne- 
reide,  so  well  known  in  our  prize-history,  was  soon 
afterwards  called  on  for  trial.  In  this  second  effort, 
Mr.  Emmet  was  far  more  successful.  His  speech  was 
greatly  admired  for  its  force  and  fervor,  its  variety  of 
research,  and  its  touching  eloquence.  It  placed  him  at 
once,  by  universal  consent,  in  the  first  rank  of  Ameri- 
can advocates.  I  do  not  mean  to  intimate  that  it 
placed  him  before  Mr.  Pinkney,  who  was  again  his 
noble  rival  for  victory.  But  it  settled  henceforth  and 
for  ever,  his  claims  to  very  high  distinction  in  the  pro- 
fession. In  the  course  of  the  exordium  of  this  speech, 
he  took  occasion  to  mention  the  embarrassment  of  his 


406          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

.own  situation,  the  novelty  of  the  forum,  and  the  public 
expectations,  which  accompanied  the  cause.  He  spoke 
with  generous  praise  of  the  talents  and  acquirements  of 
his  opponent,  whom  fame  and  fortune  had  followed  both 
in  Europe  and  America.  And  then,  in  the  most  deli- 
cate and  affecting  manner,  he  alluded  to  the  events  of 
his  own  life,  in  which  misfortune  and  sorrow  had  left 
many  deep  traces  of  their  ravages.  '  My  ambition,' 
said  he,  '  was  extinguished  in  my  youth  ;  and  I  am  ad- 
monished by  the  premature  advances  of  age,  not  now 
to  attempt  the  dangerous  paths  of  fame.'  At  the  mo- 
ment when  he  spoke,  the  recollections  of  his  -sufferings 
melted  the  hearts  of  his  audience,  and  many  of  them 
were  dissolved  in  tears." 

We  will  now  enter  into  a  more  critical  analysis  of 
Mr.  Emnaet's  eloquence.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  we 
have  neither  the  space  nor  ability  to  present  copious 
extracts  characteristic  of  this  great  orator's  composi- 
tion. But  few  of  his  happier  efforts  were  ever  reduced 
to.  writing,  and  almost  none  are  now  extant.  In  this 
respect  he  much  resembles  the  most  renowned  of  his 
predecessors  in  the  best  age  of  Irish  eloquence.  No 
full  record  has  preserved  to  us  the  rhetorical  wealth  of 
the  fascinating  and  silvery  eloquence  of  Hussey  Burgh. 
Only  a  few  fragmentary  remains  have  come  down  to 
us  of  the  massive  oratory  of  Yelverton.  The  reports 
were  never,  full  and  faithful  until  the  times  of  Plunket, 
Sheridan,  Burke,  Curran,  Grattan,  O'Connel  and  Shiel. 
The  original  grandeur  of  the  temple  can  hardly  be 
estimated  by  a  few  shattered  bricks ;  but  as  we  wander 
anjid  the  scenes  of  primitive  greatness,  and  catch  the 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET.  407 

few  antique  tones  that  still  linger  there,  we  remembei 
that  even  the  shepherds  were  once  melodious  on  those 
glorious  hills,  and  learned  to  attune  their  souls  to  lofty 
airs  on  pipes  formed  of  the  eagle's  wing. 

From  all  that  can  now  be  gathered  from  Mr.  Emmet's 
recorded  works,  and  reputation  with  cotemporary  critics, 
we  infer  that  his  eloquence  was  ardent  and  national, 
original  and  graceful,  sober  and  substantial,  and  always 
studious  of  the  good  and  the  just. 

In  the  first  place,"he  was  evidently  full  of  ardor  and 
deep  national  feeling.  The  circumstances  which  devel- 
oped these  classes  of  emotion  so  strongly  in  our  orator, 
we  have  already  glanced  at  in  considering  his  early 
life.  No  doubt  he  verified  most  acutely  the  sentiment 
of  Cowper : 

"'Tis  liberty  alone  which  gites  the  flower 
Of  fleeting  life  its  lustre  and  perfume, 
And  we  are  weeds  without  it." 

In  all  speakers  of  the  first  class,  the  most  predominant 
quality  is  force.  The  greatest  ability  in  one  who 
addresses  a  popular  audience  does  not  consist  in  the- 
power  of  plunging  deep  .in  science  or  soaring  high  in 
poetic  inspiration,  .but  in  walking  firmly  on  the  solid 
earth,  swaying  the  masses  of  men  before  him  as  he  goes. 
He  must  know  how  to  touch  and  inflame  the  sympathies 
of  mankind,  conscious  that  whatever  is  not  allied  io 
these,  is  foreign  to  his  purpose.  His  first  duty  is  to  be 
understood  by  all ;  and  this  end  he  will  never  attain, 
until  he  can  pour  himself  into  the  general  heart  through 
the  channels  of  deep  feeling  in  language  which  all 


408  ORATORS    OP    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

instinctively  comprehend.  So  intimate  and  sagacious 
are  the  ties  of  sympathy  which  bind  all  hearts,  that  the 
most  ignorant  person  will  immediately  detect  the  hollow- 
ness  of  false  pathos  whenever  its  imposition  is  attempted. 
Transitions  the  most  abrapt,  and  language  the  most 
extravagant,  are  sufferable  when  listeners  are  once 
imbued  with  the  fires  of  sincere  emotion,  as  the  smith 
buffets  the  mass  of  iron  at  discretion  and  with  perpetual 
effect  when  at  a  welding  heat.  To  take  such  liberties 
with  an  assembly  on  the  dead  level  of  ordinary  feeling, 
would  be  'Something  worse  than  folly.  It  is  much  easier 
to  compel  laughter  and  weeping  in  rapid  alternation, 
when  hearers  are  once  excited,  then  it  is  to  create  the 
slightest  ripple  of  emotion  at  the  first  attacks  on  the 
frigid  sea  of  mind. 

The  only  true  basis  «of  sterling  eloquence  is  severe 
reason  :  but  the  imagination  is  always  a  grateful  accom- 
paniment, and  the  heart  &  most  powerful  aid.  Their 
skillful  combination  constitutes  consummate  excellence ; 
as  the  combined  attributes  of  Seraphim  and  Cherubim 
— the  knowing  ones  and  the  loving  ones — signalize  the 
highest  bliss  of  heaven.  Grace  and  harmony  are  essen- 
tial to  effective  speech,  since  they  strengthen  the  ideas 
of  the  speaker  and  give  energy  to  his  expression.  It  is 
a  primary  requisite  that  he  should  invigorate  the  sinews 
and  muscles  of  his  mind,  and  fortify  all  the  powers  of 
will  with  a  masculine  firmness ;  but  the  articulations  of 
bony  and  sinew  strength  must  be  rounded  into  symmetry 
and  beautified  with  the  attractive  lines  of  supple  life. 
Pope's  description  of  beauty  is  equally  applicable  to 
eloquence.  It  is  not  the  eye  or  the  brow  that  we  call 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET.  409 

beauty;  and  it  13  not  the  exertions  of  intellect  or  the 
evolutions  of  the  body,  separately  considered,  that  we 
call  eloquence,  "  but  the  full  force  and  just  effect  of  all." 
When  a  speaker  is  deeply  absorbed  in  his  subject,  and 
pours  himself  forth  in  a  tide  of  glowing  emotion,  the 
awkwardness  of  his  gesture  is  lost  in  the  Fascination  of 
his  honest  feeling,  but  no  artificial  elegance  of  the  out- 
side can  ever  be  substituted  for  the  rugged  and  sincere 
workings  of  the  heart.  Emmet,  in  his  better  moments, 
wrought  in  the  creation-  of  oratorical  armor  like  a  god*. 

Some  of  his  paragraphs  are  the  embodiments  of  the 
most  powerful  conception*  in  the  most  vivid  language 
ever  forged  in  the  blazing  furnace  of  impassioned  mind. 

Lord  l!rskine,  himself  an  admirable  proficient  in  elo- 
quence, said  in  a  letter  introductory  to  the  speeches  of 
Fox,  that  "  inteliect  alone,  however  exalted,  without 
strong  feelings — without  even  irritable  sensibility — 
would  be  only  like  an  immense  magazine  of  powder, 
if  there  were  no  such  element  as  fire  in  the  natural 
world.  It  is  the  heart  which  is  the  spring  and  fountain 
of  all  eloquence."  To  be  efficient  in  the  use  of  speech, 
one  must  be  himself  moved,  must  be  sincere  and  in 
earnest.  Within,  the  fires  of  logic,  fed  by  passion, 
must  keenly  burn  ;  without,  &n  air  of  conviction  and 
forgetfulness  of  self,  must  mantle  the  speaker  and  aug- 
ment his  power.  A  cold-blooded  retailer  of  hackneyd 
pkrases  and  empty  tropes,  who  contemplates  his  delicate 
hand  as  he  waves  it  in  effeminate  prettiness,  and  recites 
his  pointless  periods  in  tones  as  insipid  as  their  author's 
spirit,  Will  never  attract 'a  crowd  an'd  kindle  in  them 
the  healthy  excitement  of  fervid  sensibility.  A  man 
18 


:: 


10  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 


ay  convince  a  few,  and  even  induce  many  to  act,  by 
mere  reason  and  argument.  But  that  kind  of  oratory 
which  ^pmmands  universal  admiration,  and  stamps  its 
author  a  master  among  men,  is  never  divorced  from 
great  warmth  of  conception  and  manner  of  expression. 
Passion,  when  it  rouses  and  kindles  the  mind,  without 
disturbing  the  power  of  self-possession,  always  substan- 
tiates and  exalts  the  associated  powers  of  the  mind. 
The  fervid  inspiration  of  the  heart  renders  the  intellect 
more  enlightened,  vigorous,  penetrating,  and  imperial, 
than  it  is  in  the  calm  of  indifference.  Thus  prompted, 
the  speaker  is  in  no  loss  for^  words,  or  apt  deductions. 
Through  the  lucid  medium  of  contagious  sympathy,  he 
transmits  to  others  the  glowing  sentiments  he  feels ; 
his  looks,  tones,  gestures,  are  all  persuasive,  and  nature 
in  every  such  instance,  shows  herself  infinitely  more 
powerful  than  art. 

Eloquence,  so  far  as  it  is  excellent  and  true,  will  be 
national — It  will  be  characterized  by  the  most  promi- 
nent features  of  the  nation  by  whom  and  for  whom  it 
is  produced.  Every  judicious  speaker  will  consult  the 
taste  of  his  audience ;  in  doing  this  he  will  designedly 
or  by  instinct  catch  the  tone  of  the  inclinations  Tie 
consults,  and  will  shortly  come  to  possess  the  character 
he  has  assumed.  This  law  of  assimilation  is  as  vene- 
rable as  human  nature  itself,  and  the  recognition  of  its 
power  in  forensic  life  is  certainly  as  old  as  Cicero. 
Said  he,  "  The  eloquence  of  orators  has  always  been 
governed  by  the  taste  of  the  hearers.  He  who  is  de- 
sirous of  being  heard  with  approbation,  naturally  con- 
sults the  dispositions  of  those  whom  he  has  to  address, 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET. 

and  in  aM  respects  conforms  himself  to  their  will  a: 
pleasure."  Emmet  was  rocked  in  the  cradle  of  liberty, 
and  grew  in  one  continued  struggle  for  human  rights. 
Every  faculty  he  possessed  had  been  tempered  in  the 
flames  of  persecution  abroad,  ere  he  came  to  be  pro- 
tected and  matured  by  the  Genius  of  Liberty  at  her 
great  western  shrine.  Providence  created  and  trained 
him  for  great  and  noble  deeds. 

In  the  second  place,  Mr.  Emmet  was  original  and 
graceful  to  an  uncommon  degree.  Originality  is  one  of 
the  "best  traits  of  Irish  eloquence.  It  is  unique  both  in 
its  good  qualities  and  its  bad  ;  it  strikingly  exemplifies 
the  temperament  and  mental  structure  of  the  people  of 
the  "  Emerald  Isle."  To  attain  excellence  in  oratory 
of  a  high  order,  originality  is  pre-eminently  demanded. 
The  speaker  must  yield  to  the  potent  impulses  of  his 
own  spirit,  rather  than  conform  -to  the  cold  rules  not  in- 
digenous to  the  soul  and  soil  of  his  father-land.  Per- 
severing practice  naay  produce  the  frigid  uniformity  of 
a  fluent  harangue  ;.  but  it  is  only  when  God's  creative 
breath  fans  the  fires  of  patriotism  in  the  soul  sublimely 
endowed,  that  a  true  orator  is  fashioned -for.  sovereignty 
over  the  hearts  of  mankind.  Mechanism  is  of  great 
utility  in  reducing  powerful  elements  to  practical  use, 
but  mechanism  has  no  power  to  create  theetherial  spirit 
of  omnipotence  it  struggles  to  employ. 

Originality  is  not  extravagance,  nor  need  one  be  un- 
couth in  order  to  be  strong.  Indeed,  as  Carlyle  has 
said,  "it  is  a  fundamental  mistake  to  call  vehemence 
and  rigidity  strength.  A  man  is  not  strong  who  takes 
convulsion  fits ;  though  six  men  cannot  hold  him  then. 


412  ORATORS    OF   THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

He  that  can  walk  under  heaviest  weight  without  stag- 
gering, he  is  the  strong  man."  The  most  rugged  and 
refined  qualities  were  combined  in  Mr.  Emmet's  com- 
position. Fervid  passions  and  resistless  energies  lay 
folded -within  him,  like  latent  lightnings  in  a  summer 
cloud;  but  over  these  accumulated  stores  of  power, 
affection,  "soft  -as  dews  jon  roses,"  spread  a  graceful 
mantle,  shrouding  what  on  filting  occasions  burst  forth 
in  fire-showers  to  blast  wherever'  they  fell.  Like  all 
regal  spirits  of  the  rostrum,  he  always  excelled  with 
greatest  certainty  where  his  sympathies  were  most 
aroused.  Marinus,  speaking  of  old  Proclus,  the  eom- 
mentator  on  Plato,  says,  that  "  he  did  not  seem  to  be 
without  divine  inspiration.  For  words  similar  to  the 
most  white  and  thick-falling  snow,  proceeded  from  his 
wise  mouth ;  his  eyes  appeared  to  be  filled  with  a  fulgid 
splendor,  and  the  rest  of  his  face  to  participate  of  divine 
illumination."  The  allusion  here  is  undoubtedly  to  the 
beautiful  description  of  Ulysses  in  the  third  book  of  the 
Iliad,  which  is  paraphrased  as  follows  by  Pope : 

"  But  when  he  speaks,  what  elocution  flows ! 
Soft  as  the  fleeces  of  descending  snows 
The  copious  accents  fall  with  easy  art ; 
Melting,  they  falLand  sink  into  the  heart." 

Emmet  had  much  of  that  enthusiastic  suavity ,- — that 
humor  combined  with  pungency  so  peculiar  to  his 
countrymen, — that  knowledge  of  human  nature,  and 
tact  in  controlling  it,  which  Croly  has  so  graphically 
described  as  the  leading  quality  in  Sheridan  :  "  Of  all 
great  speakers  of  a  day  fertile  in  oratory,  Sheridan  had 
the  most  conspicuous  natural  gifts.  His  figure,  at  his 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET.  413 

~< 

first  introduction  into  the  House,  was  manly  and  strik- r 
ing ;  his  countenance  singularly  expressive,  when  excited 
in  debate ;  his  eye,  lai!ge,  black,  and  intellectual ;  and 
his  voice,  one  of  the  richest,  most  flexible,  and  most 
sonorous,  that  ever  came  from  human  lips.  Pitt's  was 
powerful,  but  monotonous ;  and  its  measured  tone  often 
wearied  the  ear.  Fox's  was  all  confusion  in  the  com- 
mencement of  his  speech ;  and  it  required  some  tension 
cf  ear  throughout  to  ca§ch  his  words.  Burke's  was 
loud  and  bold,  but  unmusical;  and  his  contempt  for 
order  in  his  sentences,  and  the  abruptness  of  his  grand 
and  swelling  conceptions,  that  seemed  to  roll  through 
his  mind  like  billows  before  a  gale,  often  made  the 
defects  of  his  delivery  more  striking.  But  Sheridan,  in 
manner,  gesture,  and  voice,  had  every  quality  that 
could  give  effect  to  eloquence.  Pitt  and  Fox  were  lis- 
tened to  with  profound  respect,  and  in  silence,  broken 
only  by  occasional  cheers ;  but  from  the  moment  of 
Sheridan's  rising,  there  was  an  expectation  of  pleasure, 
which,  to  his  last  days,  was  seldom  disappointed.  A 
low  murmur  of  eagerness  ran  round  the  house ;  every 
word  was  watched  for,  and  his  first  pleasantry  set  the 
whole  assemblage  in  a  roar.  Sheridan  was  aware  of 
this,  and  has  been  heard  to  say,  "  that  if  a  jester  would 
never  be  an  orator,  yet.no  speaker  could  expect  to  be 
popular  in  a  full  house  without  a  jest;  and 'that  he 
always  made  the  experiment,  good  or  bad,  as  a  laugh 
gave  him  the  country  gentlemen  to  a  man."  Mr. 
Emmet  may  not  have  equalled  his  great  countryman 
in  the  talent  of  humor  and  story-telling,  but  in  all  the 
more  elevated  qualities  of  an  orator,  he  Was  rarely 


414  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

excelled.  Science  had  well  trained  his  reasoning  powers, 
and  the  graces  adorned  with  their  zone  every  passion 
of  his  breast.  He  conceived  his  argument  strongly, 
and  having  clothed  his  thought  in  the  choicest  phrase- 
ology, 

"  He  said  and  acting  what  no  words  could  say, 
He  sent  his  soul  with  every  lance  he  threw." 

We  remark,  thirdly,  that  Mr.  Emmet,  as  an  orator, 
was  both  sagacious  and  substantial.  Many  persons 
doubt  that  great  elegance  and  utility  can  be  combined. 
It  is  sometimes  supposed  that  a  forensic  hero  must  be 
ugly  in  order  to  be  useful.  If  his  weSpons  are  polished 
and  chastely  adorned,  however  massive,  their  beauty 
and  brightness  raise  suspicions  as  to  their  durability* 
and  strength.  Since  gravity  is  usually  the  cloak  of 
wisdom,  the  undiscrkninating  world  not  unfrequently 
forget  that  many  exceptions  exist,  where  dullness  .is 
clothed  m  robes  the  most  demure.  Hence  the  general 
disposition  to  depreciate  any  example  of  uncommon 
brilliancy,  as  tending  to  demonstrate  by  its  glowing 
substance,  that  insipidity  and  reason  are  «iot  always 
inseparable  companions.  Gold  is  not  the  less  valuable 
when  superbly  wrought  into  artistic  shapes,  elegantly 
burnished  and  embossed.  The  solidity  of  a  temple's 
substructure  is  not  weakened  by  the  grandeur  of  its 
colonnades  and  the  graceful  swell  of  the  dome ;  nor  is 
he  the  strongest  of  intellectual  beings  whose  arid  reason 
is  the  Only  faculty  with,  which  he  is  endowed.  The 
power  of  a  well-balanced  mind  is  augmented  by  the 
energies  of  the  heart  and  imagination  which  approxi- 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET.  415 

mate  the  prerogatives  of  omnipresence  and  unbounded 
love. 

Exuberance  of  fancy  is  certainly  a  defect,  but  when 
properly  employed,  it  is  an  attribute  essential  to  an 
orator.  Devoid  of  the  ideal  which  imagination  creates, 
the  speaker  sinks  to  a  mere  dry  arguer,  the  most  repul- 
sive of  public  men;  the  plodding  mason,  but  not  the 
inspired  architect ;  he  breathes  not  that  divine  life  which 
imparts  to  dull  matter  animation  and  soul.  But  Mr. 
Emmet  never  restricted  himself  to  a  narrow  range  of 
action  or  thought.  He  could  conciliate  attention  in 
notes  as  soft  and  gentle  as  birds  "  singing  of  summer  in 
full-throated  easeV  or,  if  ne'cessary,  with  equal  facility 
he  assumed  the  thunderer's  attitude  and  arms,  hurling 
down  thosfe  bolts  that  "make  flexile  the 'knees  of  knotted 
oaks."  In  some  of  his  bolder  personifications,  he  some- 
times trod  the  dizzy  verge  that  marks  the  boundaries 
of  the  sublime ;  but  he  trod  it  like  a  god.  The  ballast 
of  his  intellect  gave  stability  and  use  to  the  towering 
sails  which  deep  feeling  spread.  He  had  stored  his 
memory  with  noble  sentiments,  striking  images  and 
graceful  expressions ;  and  these  were  rendered  effective 
by  a  perpetual  enthusiasm  for  liberal  pursuits,  elegant 
letters,  and  lofty  freedom.  He  did  not  horde  wisdom 
for  selfish  ends,  but  to.  guide  the  public  weal,  educate 
the  people,  elevate  the  national  taste,  and  conduct  his 
adopted  country,  our  glorious  republic,  to  the  head  of 
the  mightiest  nations  on  earth. 

This  leads  us  to  remark,  in  conclusion,  that  Mr. 
Emmet  seems  ever  to  have  been  studious  of  the  just 
and  the  good.  Justice  Story  speaks  of  this,  in  the 


416          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

following  general  comments  on  his  character :  "  His 
mind  was  quick,  vigorous,  searching,  and  buoyant.  He 
kindled  as  he  spoke.  There  was  a  spontaneous  com- 
bustion, as  it  were,  not  sparkling,  but  clear  and  glowing. 
His  object  seemed  to  be,  not  to  excite  wonder  or 
surprise,  to  captivate  by  bright  pictures,  and  varied 
images,  and  graceful  groups,  and  startling  apparitions ; 
but  by  earnest  and  close  reasoning  to  convince  the 
judgment,  or  to  overwhelm  the  heart  by  awakening 
its  most  profound  emotions.  His  own  feelings  were 
warm  and  easily  touched.  His  sensibility  was  keen, 
and  refined  itself  almost  into  a  melting  tenderness.  His 
knowledge  of  the  human  heart  was  various  and  exact 
He  was  easily  captivated  by  a  belief  that  has  own  cause, 
was  just.  Hence,  his  eloquence  was  most  striking  for 
its  persuasiveness.  He  said  what  he  felt;  and  he  felt 
what  he  said.  His  command  over  the  passions  of  others 
was  an  instantaneous  and  sympathetic  action.  The 
tones  of  his  voice,  when  he  touched  on  topics  calling  for 
deep  feeling,  were  themselves  instinct  with  meaning. 
They  were  utterances  of  the  soul,  as  well  as  of  the  lips." 
No  man  was  better  qualified  to  put  a  just  estimate 
upon  Mr.  Emmet,  than  the  great  and  good  judge  whose 
judgment  has  just  been  quoted,  and  who,  alas !  has  now 
followed  Legare,  Wirt^Pinkney,  Emmet,  Marshall,  and 
others,  to  the  great  tribunal.  Of  Pinkney's  great  force, 
but  lack  of  feeling,  we  have  already  spoken.  His 
exhibition  sometimes  resembled  splendid  winter  scenery, 
gorgeous  forests  and  mountains  glittering  with  sleet, 
and  brilliant  with  innumerable  gems,  but  cold  as  the 
material  of  which  their  beauty  was  formed.  But  in  the 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET.  417 

scenes  which  Emmet  evoked,  the  spectator  beheld  a 
summer  prospect  of  natural  luxuriance  and  verdure, 
less  dazzling,  but  infinitely  more  replete  with  charms. 
His  mind  was  chaste  and  fair,  "as  the  leaves  of  the 
spring's  sweetest  book,  the  rose ;"  and  it  was  destitute 
of  no  element  of  either  natural  or  acquired  strength. 
His  industry  was  perpetual  and  elevated.  Even  amid 
the  fires  of  persecution,  like  the  sacred  bush,  he  burned 
but  was  not  consumed.  While  imprisoned  at  the 
fortress  in  Scotland,  he  wrote  a  work  on  the  history  of 
his  abused  country,  which  was  printed  in  New  York, 
in  1807. 

Before  Emmet  was  exiled  from  his  native  land,  his 
most  intimate  associate  at  the  bar,  and  noble  rival,  was 
Curran,  of  whom  Lord  Byron  said,  that  he  had  spoken 
more  poetry  than  any  man  had  ever  written.  The 
two  young  heroes  were  in  many  respects  alike,  and 
both  we/e  fine  exemplifications  of  great  suppleness  com- 
bined with  great  power  to  resist.  Judge  Robinson,  the 
author  of  several  stupid,  scurrilous  pamphlets,  on  a 
certain  occasion  cast  a  sneer  on  Curran's  poverty,  by 
the  brutal  remark  that  he  "suspected  his  law  library 
was  rather  contracted."  "It  is  very  true,  my  Lord," 
replied  the  indignant  barrister,  "that  I  am  poor,  and  the 
circumstance  has  somewhat  curtailed  my  library :  my 
books  are  not  numerous,  but  they  are  select,  and  I  hope 
they  have  been  perused  with  proper  dispositions.  I 
have  prepared  myself  for  this  high  profession  rather  by 
the  study  6f  a'few  good  works,  than  by  the  composition 
of  a  great  many  bad  ones.  I  am  not  ashamed  of  my 
poverty ;  but  I  should  be  ashamed  df  my  wealth,  could 
18* 


418  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

I  have  stooped  to  acquire  it  by  servility  and  corruption. 
If  I  rise  not  to  rank,  I  shall  at  least  be  honest ;  and 
should  I  ever  cease  to  be  so,  many  an  example  shows 
me  that  an-  ill-gained  elevation,  by  making  me  the  more 
conspicuous,  would  only  make  me  the  more  universally 
and  the  more  notoriously  contemptible."  With  all  such 
burning  indignation  towards  arrogance,  tyranny*  and 
servile  meanness,  Emmet  profoundly  sympathized.  His 
private  life  was  irreproachable,  and  his  professional 
career  was  ever  characterized  by  a  noble  demeanor, 
patient  investigation,  and  untarnished  integrity.  As  a 
patriot,  Mr.  Emmet  was  worthy  to  take  the  place  he 
has  won  among  the  choicest  spirits  of  our  race.  He 
loved  freedom,  as  his  dear  brother  Robert  loved  his 
broken-hearted  betrothed,  to  whose  father  he  wrote 
from  prison  as  follows ;  "  I  would  rather  have  had  the 
affections  of  your  daughter  in  the  back  settlements  of 
America,  than  the  first  situation  this  country,  could 
afford  without  them."  At  twelve  o'clock  on  the  day  of 
execution,  the  same  hand  wrote  its  last  lines  thus : 

"My  love,  Sarah!  it  was  not  thus  that  I  thought  to 
have  requited  your  affection.     I  did  hqpe  to  be  a  prop  «.» 
round   which   your  affections  might .  have  clung,   and 
which  would  never  have  been  shaken  ;.but  a  rude  blast 
has  snapped  it,  and  they  have  fallen  over  a  grave. 

"This  is  no  time  for  affliction.  I  have  had  public 
motives  to  sustain  my  mind,  and  I  have  not  suffered  it 
to  sink ;  but  there  have  been  moments  in  my  imprison- 
ment when  my  mind  was  so  sunk  by  grief  on  her 
account,  that  death  would  have  been  a  refuge. 


THOMAS    ADDIS    EMMET. 

• 

"  God  bless  you !  I  am  obliged  to  leave  off  imme- 
diately. 

"  ROBERT  EMMET." 

The  enthusiastic  patriotism  which  allured  him  to  his 
destiny,  and  fortified  him  in  all  the  tempest  he  endured 
of  withered  hopes  and  accursed  tyranny,  enabled  him, 
it  is  said,  to  write  the  above  lines  with  composure,  and 
immediately  after  to  meet  his  fate  with  unostentatious 
fortitude.  The  two  brothers  were  alike,  fearless  of 
aristocratic  or  regal  malice,  and  ready  to  die  at  any 
moment  rather  than  be  recreant  to  duty.  Such  is  the 
inspiration  which  the  good  and  the  true  imbibe  at  the 
shriue  of  righteous  liberty. 

In  the  van  of  a  glorious  morn  not  yet  risen  to  full 
day,  Thomas  Addis  Emmet  was  dragged  from  dungeon 
to  dungeon,  hunted  from  continent  to  continent,  athwart 
seas  and  oceans,  until  he  found  a  safe  and  honorable 
protection  under  the  segis  of  America.  Here  he  pur- 
sued a  long  and  glorious  career.  His  death  took  place 
in  the  sixty-third  year  of  his  age,  in  a  manner  some- 
what remarkable.  November  14th,  1827,  while  con- 
ducting an  important  case  at  Ne-w  York,  in  the 
Circuit  Court  of  the  United  States,,  he  was  seked  with 
an  apoplectic  fit,  which  put  an  end  to  his  existence  the 
following  night.  He  was  thus  suddenly  cut  down  in 
the  fullness  of  his  virtues,  strength,  and  fame.  It  was 
only  on  the  day  preceding  the  fatal  attack,  that  he  had 
delivered  a  most  powerful  address  to  a  jury  in  a  cause 
of  the  greatest  difficulty  and  importance.  The  whole 
nation  mourned  his  fall.  Precious  and  splendid  tes- 


ERICA 


420  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMB&ICAN    REVOLUTION. 

tinaonials  immediately  indicated  the  high  place  he 
occupied  in  popular  regard.  Nor  was  the  respect 
thus  proffered  a  transient  emotion.  In  the  crowded 
thoroughfare  of  Broadway,  the  admirers  of  genius  and 
exalted  worth  may  still  be  often  seen  to  pause  and  con- 
template the  noble  monument  to  his  memory  in  St. 
Paulas  church-yard.- 

This  perpetuity  of  admiration  mingled  with  grief, 
comports  well  with  the  character  of  the  man  we  have 
attempted  to  described.  He  was  as  fascinating  in  pri- 
vate life,  as  he  was  splendid  in  the  forum.  His  manners 
were  conciliating  and  attractive  to  an  extraordinary 
degree,  blending  the  dignity  and  urbanity  of  the  gentle- 
man with  the  cordiality  and  playfulness  of  the  friend. 
Like  Hector,  setting  aside  his  crested  helmet,  that  he 
might  not  frighten  his  boy,  he  laid  aside  all  perfunc- 
tionary  austerities,  and  put  every  person  in  his  presence 
at  confiding  ease.  Politeness  in  him  was  of  the  truest 
type,  and  flowed  from  its  only  true  source — a  noble, 
warm,  and  magnanimous  heart.  For  whatever  was 
amiable  in  childhood,  or  venerable  in  age — lovely  in 
woman,  or  heroic  in  man — lofty  in  principle,  endearing 
in  friendship,  or  praise-worthy  in  enterprise,  he  had  an 
instinctive  capacity-  to  appreciate,  and  spontaneous 
sympathies  to  embrace. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


JOHN   RANDOLPH, 

THE    IMPERSONATION    OF    SARCASM. 

ONE  of  the  most  remarkable  men  that  ever  lived  was 
John  Randolph,  of  Roanoke.  He  was  born  on  2d  of 
June,  1773,  at  Matoax,  the  seat  of  his  father,  three  miles 
above  Petersburg,  Virginia.  In  his  veins  were  blended 
the  aristocratic  blood  of  England  and  the  blood  royal  of 
primitive  America.  His  lordly  bearing,  aboriginal  de- 
scent, eccentric  career  and  extraordinary  eloquence, 
early  fastened  the  attention  of  his  countrymen  upon 
him,  and  through  many  years  .engrossed  popular  regard 
to  a  wonderful  degree. 

The  progenitor  of  the  Virginia  Randolphs  was  Wil- 
liam of  Yorkshire,  England,  who  settled  at  Turkey 
Island,  on  the  James  River.  William  married  Mary 
Isham,  of  Bermuda  Hundred.  Several  of  their  sons 
were  distinguished  men  :  William  was  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Burgesses,  from  Goochland,  1740,  and  Adju- 
tant-General of  the  Colony.  Richard  was  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Burgesses,  1740,  for  Henrico,  and  sue- 

a 

ceeded  his  brother  as  treasurer.    Sir  John  was  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Burgesses  and  Attorney-General.    Petex, 


422  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

• 

son  of  the  2d  William  Randolph,  was  Clerk  of  the 
House  of  Burgesses  and  Attorney-General.  Peyton, 
brother  of  John,  was  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Bur- 
gesses and  President  of  the  first  Congress  held  at  Phila- 
delphia. Thomas  Mann  Randolph,  great  grandson  of 
William,  of  Turkey  Island,  was  a  member  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Convention,  1775,  from  Goochland.  Beverly 
Randolph  was  Member  of  Assembly,  from  Cumberland, 
during  the  Revolution,  and  member  of  the  Convention 
that  formed  the  Federal  Constitution,  and  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Convention  that  ratified  it,  Governor  of  the  State 
of  Virginia  and  Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States. 
Robert  Randolph,  son  of  Peter;  Richard  Randolph, 
grandson  of  Peter  ;  and  David  Meade  Randolph,  son  of 
the  2d  Richard,  were  cavalry  officers  in  the  War  of  the 
Revolution.  . 

John  Randolph,  of  Roanoke,  was  grandson  of  the  1st 
Richard.  Many  distinguished  families  in  Virginia, 
including  Thomas  Marshall,  father  of  the  Chief  Justice, 
were  descended  from  Randolph  of  Turkey  Island. 

Jane  Boiling,  great-grand-daughter  of  Pocahontas, 
married  Richard  Randolph,  of  Curies.  John  Randolph, 
Jr.,  of  Roanoke,  seventh  child  of  that  marriage,  mar- 
ried Frances  Bland,  and  our  hero-,  John  Randolph,  of 
Roanoke,  was  one  of  the  children  of  this  union. 

The  Randolphs  were  proud  of  their  patrician  blood, 

„  and  named  their  respective  seats  with  sounding  titles  of 

distinction ;  such  as  Thomas,  of  Tuckahoe ;  Isham,  of 

Dungeness ;  Richard,  of  Curies ;  and  John,  of  Roanoke. 

Other  branches  of  this  famous  family  had  their  splendid 

mansions  at  Turkey  Island,  Bremo,  Varina,  Wilton,  and 
•-*-  *- 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  423 

Chatswort,  venerable  localities  eagerly  contemplated  by 
the  curious  traveller  on  James  River.  The  crest  of  the 
arms  of  the  Virginia  Randolphs  is  an  antelope's  head. 

John  Randolph's  early  education,  according  to  his 
own  account,  was  very  irregular.  He  was  sent  to  a 
country  school  at  an  early  age,  where  he  acquired  the 
rudiments  of  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages.  His 
health  failing,  his  mother  sent  him  to  Bermuda,  where 
he  remained  more  than  a  year,  losing  all  his  Greek,  but 
reading  with  great  avidity  many  of  the  best  English 
authors.  After  his  return  to  the  United  States,  he  was 

X 

sent  with  his  brother  Theodorick,  to  Princeton  College, 
where  they  commenced  their  studies  in  March,  1787. 
In  the  year  1788,  after  the  death  of  his  mother,  he  was 
sent  to  college  in  New  York,  but  returned  to  Virginia, 
in  1790.  In  the  same  year  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  to 
study  law  in  the  office  of  Edmund  Randolph,  then  re- 
cently appointed  Attorney-General  of  the  United  States. 
But  his  law  studies  scarcely  extended  beyond  the  first 
book  of  Blackstone.  He  became  of  age  in  June,  1794, 
up  to  which  time  he  appears  to  have  led  an  irregular, 
desultory  life,  with  a  residence  as  fluctuating  as  his 
object  of  pursuit  was  undecided. 

In  Greek  literature,  John  Randolph  never  was  a  pro- 
ficient; in  Latin  he  was  better  read,  and  quoted  its 
treasures  with  promptness  and  accuracy.  But  with  the 
best  English  classics  he  was  thoroughly  and  comprehen- 
sively acquainted.  In  his  "  Letters  to  Dudley,"  he 
speaks  of  his  education  as  follows :  "  I  think  you  have 
never  read  Chaucer.  Indeed,  I  have  sometimes  blamed 
myself  for  not  cultivating  your  imagination  when  you 


424     ORATORS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 

were  young.  It  is  a  dangerous  quality,  however,  for 
the  possessor.  But  if  from  my  life  were  to  be  taken  the 
pleasure  derived  from  that  faculty,  very  little  would 
remain.  Shakspeare  and  Milton,  and  Chaucer  and 
Spencer,  and  Plutarch,  and  the  Arabian  Nights'  Enter- 
tainments, and  Don  Quixote,  and  Gil  Bias,  and  Tom 
Jones,  and  Gulliver,  and  Robinson  Crusoe,  '  and  the 
tale  of  Troy  divine,'  have  made  up  more  than  half  my 
worldly  enjoyment.  To  these  ought  to  be  added 
Ovid's  Metamorphoses,  Ariosto,  Dryden,  Beaumont  and 
Fletcher,  Southern,  Otway,  Pope's  Rape  and  Eloisa, 
Addison,  Young,  Thompson,  Gay,  Goldsmith,  Gray, 
Collins,  Sheridan,  Cowper,  Byron,  JEsop,  La  Fontaine, 
Voltaire's  Charles  XII.,  Mahomet  and  Zaire,  Rousseau's 
Julie,  Schiller,  Madame  de  Stael,  but  above  all,  Burke. 
One  of  the  first  books  I  ever  read  was  Voltaire's  Charles 
XII. ;  about  the  same  time,  1780-1,  I  read  the  Specta- 
tor, and  used  to  steal  away  to  the  closet  containing 
them.  The  letters  from  his  correspondents  were  my 
favorites.  I  read  Humphrey  Clinker,  also,  that  is, 
Win's  and  Tabby's  letters,  with  great  delight;  for  I. 
could  spell  at  that  age  pretty  correctly.  Reynard  the 
Fox,  came  next,  I  think  ;  then  Tales  of  the  Genii  and 
Arabian  Nights.  This  last,  and  Shakspeare,  were  my 
idols.  I  had  read  them,  with  Don  Quixote,  Gil  Bias, 
Quintus  Curtius,  Plutarch,  Pope's  Homer,  Robinson 
Crusoe,  Gulliver,  Tom  Jones,  Orlando  Furioso,  and 
Thompson's  Seasons,  before  I  was  eleven  years  of  age  ; 
also  Goldsmith's  Roman  His-tory,  and  an  old  history  of 
Braddock's  War.  At  about  eleven,  (1784-5,)  Percy's 
Reliques  and  Chaucer  became  great  favorites,  and 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  425 

Chatterton  and  Rowley.  I  then  read  Young  and  Gay, 
&c.  Goldsmith  I  ne^ver  saw  till  1787." 

Mr.  Randolph  made  his  first  appearance  in  public  life, 
in  1799,  as  a  candidate  for  a  seat  in  Congress,  and  was 
elected.  He  was  indebted  to  his  eloquence  for  success 
in  this  early  contest,  as  he  was  without  family  influence 
in  the  district,  and  was  a  mere  boy  in  appearance.  His 
antagonist  was  the  veteran  statesman  and  orator,  Pat- 
rick Henry.  The  exciting  questions  which  arose  out 
of  Mr.  Madison's  famous  resolutions  of  1798,  were  the 
chief  matter  in  debate.  On  the  alien  and  sedition  laws, 
and  other  exciting  topics  of  that  day,  the  contest  ran 
high.  An  anecdote  has  been  preserved  strongly  charac- 
teristic of  both  combatants.  Mr.  Randolph  was  address- 
ing the  populace  in  answer  to  Mr.  Henry,  when  a 
comrade  said  to  the  latter,  "  Come,  Henry,  let  us  go — it 
is  not  worth  while  to  listen  to  that  boy."  "Stay,  my 
friend,"  replied  the  sagacious  patriot,  "  there  is  an  old 
man's  head  on  that  boy's  shoulders." 

When  he  entered  Congress,  his  youthful  aspect, 
among  other  striking  traits,  attracted  universal  surprise. 
As  he  presented  himself  at  the  clerk's  table  to  qualify, 
the  official  demanded  his  age.  "Ask  my  constituents," 
was  the  characteristic  reply. 

Mr.  Randolph  soon  became  a  marked  man  in  the  na- 
tional councils.  His  fearless  thought,  pungent  language, 
withering  sarcasm,  and  general  power  as  a  prompt  and 
passionate  debater,  attracted  the  admiration  as  well  as 
excited  the  dread  of  all  parties  within  Congress  and 
without.  He  was  frequently  chairman  of  important 
committees,  participated  in  almost  all  the  chief  debates, 


426  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

and  amid  one  continued  whirl  of  changes  and  contra- 
dictions, acted  the  hero  and  the  buffoon  for  many  years 
on  the  public  stage. 

Let  us  attempt  to  delinea-te  his  person,  analyze  his  intel- 
lect, and  describe  somewhat  minutely  his  strange  career. 

John  Randolph  was  about  six  feet  high.  He  had 
elevated  shoulders,  a  small  head,  and  a  physiognomy  all 
the  parts  of  which  were  entirely  unintellectual,  except 
his  eye.  His  hair  was  dark,  thin  and  lank,  and  lay 
close  to  his  head.  His  voice  was  shrill  as  a  fife,  but  its 
clear  shrieking  tones  could  be  distinctly  heard  by  a 
large  audience.  The  muscles  and  skin  about  his  face 
were  shrivelled  and  cadaverous,  like  wrinkled  parch- 
ment ;  and  his  whole  form  was  so  attenuated  and  meagre 
that  tall  as  he  was,  his  acquaintances  supposed  him  not 
to  weigh- more  than  a  hundred  and  thirty  pounds. 

The  author  of  Clinton  Bradshaw,  who  enjoyed  a  fa- 
vorable opportunity  of  observing  this  strange  being,  has 
given  us  the  following  graphic  description  of  his  person, 
habiliments  and  manners :  "  His  long,  thin  legs,  about 
as  thick  as  a  stout  walking  cane,  and  of  much  such  a 
shape,  were  encased  in  a  pair  of  light  small  clothes,  so 
tight  that  they  seemed  part  and  parcel  of  the  wearer. 
Handsome  white  stockings  were  fastened  with  great 
tidiness  at  the  knees  by  a  small  gold  buckle,  and  over 
them,  coming  about  half  way  up  the  calf,  were  a  pair  of 
what,  I  believe,  are  called  hose,  coarse  and  country 
knit.  He  wore  shoes.  They  were  old-fashioned,  and 
fastened  also  with  buckles — large  ones.  He  trod  like  an 
Indian,  without  turning  his  toes  out,  but  planking  them 
straight  ahead.  It  was  the  fashion  in  those  days  to 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  427 

• 

wear  a  fan-tailed  coat,  with  a  small  collar,  and  buttons 
far  apart  behind,  and  few  on  the  breast.  Mr.  Randolph's 
was  the  reverse  of  all  this.  Instead  of  its  being  fan- 
tailed,  it  was  what  I  believe  the  knights  of  the  needle 
call  swallow-tailed  ;  the  collar  was  immensely  large,  the 
buttons  behind  were  in  kissing  proximity,  and  they  sat 
together  as  close  on  the  breast  of  the  garment  as  the 
feasters  at  a  crowded  public  festival.  His  waist  was 
remarkably  slender :  so  slender  that,  as  he  stood  with 
his  arms  akimbo,  he  could  easily,  as  I  thought,  with  his 
long  bony  fingers,  have  spanned  it.  Around  him  his  coat, 
which  was  very  tight,  was  held  together  by  one  button, 
and,  in  consequence,  an  inch  or  more  of  tape,  to  which 
the  buttons  were  attached,  was  perceptible  where  it  was 
pulled  through  the  cloth.  About  his  neck  he  wore  a 
large  white  cravat,  in  which  his  chin  was  occasionally 
buried  as  he  moved  his  head  in  conversation ;  no  shirt 
collar  was  perceptible  :  every  other  person  seemed  to 
pride  himself  upon  the  size  of  his,  as  they  were  then 
worn  large.  Mr.  Randolph's  complexion  was  precisely 
that  of -a  mummy— withered,  saffron,  dry,  and  bloodless , 
you  could  not  have  placed  a  pin's  point  on  his  face 
where  you  would  not  have  touched  a  wrinkle.  His 
lips  were  thin,  compressed,  and  colorless;  the  chin, 
beardless  as  a  boy's,  was  broad  for  the  size  of  his  face, 
which  was  small ;  his  nose  was  straight,  with  nothing 
remarkable  in  it,  except,  perhaps,  it  was  too  short.  He 
wore  a  fur  cap,  which  he  took  off,  standing  a  few  mo- 
ments uncovered.  Fancy  a  dead  man  struck  into  life 
by  lightning,  and  all  his  life  in  his  eye,  and  you  have  a 
picture  of  John  Randolph." 


428          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN 'REVOLUTION. 

.It  would  be  difficult,  we  think,  to  present  a  more 
striking  portraiture  of  one's  exterior,  than  the  one  we 
have  just  quoted.  A  still  more  difficult  task  remains  to 
present  in  detail  the  elements  of  his  mental  and  rhe- 
torical power. 

Humor,  .wit,  and  sarcasm  are  legitimate  and  effective 
tools-  when  adroitly  used  in  oratory.  There  is  no 
malignity  in  true  irony.  If  that  which  is  intrinsically 
absurd,  is  made  to  appear  ludicrous,  when  sketched  by  a 
sagacious  master,  the  ridicule  belongs  to  the  subject, 
and  not  to.  the  artist.  Bland  humor  is  almost  always 
associated  with  great  intellectual  strength.  Says  a 
distinguished  Edinburgh  reviewer,  "  Men  of  truly  great 
powers  of  mind,  have  generally  been  cheerful,  social, 
and  indulgent ;  while  a  tendency  to  sentimental  whin- 
ing, or  fierce  intolerance,  may  be  ranked  among  the 
surest  symptoms  of  inferior  intellects.  In  the  whole 
list  of  our  English  poets,  we  can  only  remember  Shen- 
stone  and  Savage — two,  certainly,  of  the  lowest — who 
were  querulous  and  discontented.  Cowley,  indeed, 
used  to  call  himself  melancholy ;  but  he  was  full  of 
conceits  and  affectations,  and  has  nothing  to  make  us 
proud  of  him.  Shakspeare,  the  greatest  of  them  all,  was 
evidently  of  a  free  and  joyous  temperament ;  and  so 
was  Chaucer,  their  common  master.  The  same  dis- 
position seems  to  have  predominated  in  Fletcher,  Jon- 
son,  and  their  great  cotemporarie^.  The  genius  of 
Milton  partook  something  of  the  austerity  of  the  party 
to  which  it  belonged,  and  of  the  controversies  in  which 
it  was  involved ;  but-  even  when  fallen  on  evil  days 
and  evil  tongues,  his  spirit  seems  to  have  retained  its 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  429 

serenity  as  well  as  its  dignity  ;  and  in  his  private  life,  as 
well  as  in  his  poetry,  the  majesty  of  a  high  character  is 
tempered  with  great  sweetness  and  practical  wisdom." 

But  Randolph  was  not  of  this  stamp.  He  possessed 
little  of  that  delicate  and  courteous  humor  which  "  gives 
ardor  to  virtue,  and  confidence  to  truth."  When  irony 
is  refined  and  sparingly  employed,  it  produces  a  pleasing 
excitement  of  mind  in  all  who  can  perceive  the  sig- 
nificant force  latent  in  every  delicate  allusion.  But 
when  those  personalities  are  palpable  and  poignant,  as 
was  the  custom  with  Randolph,  they  leave  an  irritating 
sting  in  the  wound,  which  breeds  death.  The  dealer 
in  such  wares  is  justly  dreaded  by  all,  for  it  is  impos- 
sible to  tell  who  next  will  be  made  to  bleed  under  the 
keen  dagger  of  unscrupulous  sarcasm.  With  malignant 
delight,  such  antagonists  occupy  themselves  incessantly 
in  sharpening  their  arrows,  and  in  pluming  them  for 
attack.  Armed  with  weapons  which,  like  vipers,  though 
small  are  too  deadly  to  be  contemptible,  these  mental 
dwarfs  rendered  effective  by  their  venom  rather  than 
by  their  reason,  scornfully  overleap  opposing  arguments 
which  have  been  elaborated  with  care,  and  by  sudden 
stings  inflict  wounds  on  some  sensitive  but  .unguarded 
part,  and  thus  destroy  the  equanimity  of  the  giant  whose 
deductions  they  cannot  subvert.  One  thus  tormented 
by  ignoble  foes  will  painfully  verify  the  sentiments  of 
Sou  they 's  hero  : 

V 

"  Quick  am  I  to  feel 

Light  ills — perhaps,  o'er  hasty  :  summer  gnats, 
Finding  my  cheek  unguarded,  may  infix 
Their  skin-deep  stings  to  vex  and  irritate : 


430     ORATORS  OF  THE  AMERICA!*  REVOLUTION. 

.  But  if  the  wolf  or  forest-boar  be  nigh, 
I  am  awake  to  danger.     Even  so 
Bear  I  a  mind  of  steel  and  adamant 
Against  all  greater  wrongs." 

Carlyle  has  said  that  "  true  humor  springs  not  more 
from  the  head  than  from  the  heart ;  it  is  not  contempt 
— its  essence  is  love ;  it  issues  not  in  laughter,  but  in 
still  smiles  which  lie  far  deeper.  It  is  a  sort  of  inverse 
sublimity,  exalting,  as  it  were,  into  our  affections  what 
is  below  us,  while  sublimity  draws  down  into  our  affec- 
tions what  is  above  us."  But  of  this  amiable,  vivacious 
excellence,  Randolph  had  little  or  none.  His  humor 
was  not  mere  pleasant,  pungent  railery,  but  generally 
darkened  into  ferocious  vituperation.  He  was  as-  fickle 
as  the  .wind,  implacable  as  the  storm,  and  scathing  as 
lightning : 

"  One  of  that  stubborn  sort  was  he, 
Who,  if  they  once  grow  fond  of  an  opinion 
They  call  it  honor,  honesty,  and  faith, 
And  sooner  part  with  life  than  Jet  it  go." 

Satire,  in  the  person  jof  one  who  has  a  shrewd  eye  to 
observe,  and  a  graphic  pen  to  describe,  is  a  mighty 
agent  for  good  in  the  literary  and  moral  world.  Whose 
heart  does  not  echo  back  the  brief  and  pungent  ex- 
clamation of  the  prince  of  dramatists  ? 

"  Life's  a  poor  player, 

Who  frets  and  struts  his  hour  upon  the  stage, 
And  then  is  heard  no  more  !" 

Pope  has  sarcastically  amplified  this  thought,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  added  a  solemn  view  to  the  subject : 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  431 

"  Behold  the  child,  hy  nature's  kindly  law, 
Pleas'd  with  a  rattle,  tickl'd  with  a  straw ! 
Some  livelier  plaything  gives  our  youth  delight, 
A  little  louder,  but  as  empty  quite  : 
Scarfs,  garters,  gold,  our  riper  years  engage; 
And  beads  and  prayer-books  are  the  toys  oi  age  ! 
Pleased  with  his  bauble  still  as  that  before, 
Till  tird  we  sleep,  said  life's  poor  play  is  o'er. ," 

If  it  is  correct  to  say  that  a  good  style  resembles  the 
crystal  of  a  watch,  attracting  attention,  not  to  itself, 
but  to  what  fs  beneath  it ;  then  a  judicious  infusion  of 
the  bitter-sweet  of  humor  into  the  milk  of  human  kind- 
ness in  composition,  will  be  an  advantage  rather  than 
otherwise,  since  it  will  excite  expectation  and  command 
respect.  In  the  almost  universal  skill  of  pedantic  dog- 
matism which  prevails  in  modern  society,  we  have  little 
of  the  genuine  Socratic  irony  which  once  instructed 
Athens  and  improved  the  world.  Frederick  Schlegel 
has  a  pertinent  remark  on  this  topic :  "  We  also  find  in 
the  classical  works  of  antiquity,  at  a  time  that  depth  of 
a  loving  sentiment  was  not  so  generally  revealed,  fhis 
same  phenomenon  amidst  the  highest  spiritual  clearness 
and  serenity,  in  the  most  charming  attire  of  exquisite 
language.  I  mean  that  characteristic  irony  which  be- 
longed to  the  discourses  and  instructions  of  Socrates, 
as  exhibite'd  in  the  Platonic  writings.  I  must  here, 
however,  observe  that  this  word,  in  the  modern  usage, 
has  sunk  to  a  degree  lower  than  its  original  meaning ; 
insomuch,  that  it  now  only  signifies  common  mockery, 
and  certainly  does  not  fulfil  Aristotle's  idea,  when  he 
says  that  it  makes  manners  gracious.  True  irony  is 
the  irony  of  love." 


432  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

We  have  endeavored  to  show  that  Mr.  Randolph  was 
greajfdy  deficient  in  humor  ;  his  wit  was  more  abundant, 
but  not  more  amiably  employed.  Satire  is  undoubtedly 
a  potent  ordnance  with  which  one  may  "  shoot  folly  as 
it  flies."  But  is  it  noble  to  be  inclined  to  ridicule, 
rather  than  admire,  and  is  that  a  manly  sensitiveness 
which  resents  a  burst  of  enthusiasm  as  an  offence 
against  the  decorum  of  enlightened  society — a  fas- 
tidious and  effeminate  taste  which  represses  all  out- 
pourings of  generous  thought  in  which  g!6wing  passion 
impels-  the  imagination,  and  exalted  sentiment  is  steeped 
in  fancy  ?  True  wit  is  fearless,  frank,  and  jocund,  giv- 
ing and  taking  hits  with  equal  magnanimity.  !  But 
Randolph  was  captious,  acrimonious,  and  snarly,  never 
sparing  his  .foes,  and  often  dreaded  by  his  friends.  The 
scourge  with  which  he  unmercifully  lashed  his  victim 
was  composed  of  thongs  that  cut  deeply  and  left  cor- 
roding gangrene  in  the  wounds  they  made. 

We  have  seen  that  humor  is  the  genial  oil  and  wine 
of  every  festival,  without  which  there  is  no  jovial  fellow- 
ship. Wit,  on  the  contrary,  is  a  tart,  pungent  ingredi- 
ent, much  too  acid  for  ordinary  stomachs.  Its  legiti- 
mate use  lies  in  the  encouragement  of  timid  merit,  and 
the  discomfiture  of  insolence.  Many  crude  theories  and 
impracticable  systems  are  more  successfully  attacked  by 
ridicule  than  by  reason.  Satire,  wisely  used  in  tha 
promotion  of  public  morals,  and  even  in  the  defence  of 
religion,  will  do  more  good  than  a  formal  discourse; 
since  this  sort  of  remedy  is  grateful  to  the  popular  taste, 
whilst  at  the  same  time  it  imparts  reproof  and  excites 
fear: 


JOHN    EANDOtPH.  433 

% 

"  Of  all  the  ways  that  wisest  men  could  find, 
To  mend  the  age  and  mortify  mankind, 
Satire,  well  writ,  has  most  successful  prov'd, 
And  cures,  because  the  remedy  is  lov'd." 

But  we  never  heard  of  any  one  who  had  a  particular 
affection  for  Randolph's  sarcastic  wit.  His  withering 
spirit  was  not  of  the  kind  that  sportively  would  "  break 
a  butterfly  upon  the  wheel,"  but  a  demoniac  passion 
that  is  sure  to  blast  whatever  embodiment  of  beauty  or 
strength  it  scornfully  condescends  to  touch.  Had  he 
restrained  himself  within  reasonable  bounds  and  subordi- 
nated his  great  powers  to  noble  ends,  he  might  have 
accomplished  an  immense  amount  of  good.  >Shallow 
pretenders  to  wisdom,  and  ostentatious  charlatans  of 
divers  sorts  infest  society,  every  where  prompt  only  to 
distract  and.  destroy,  to  unmask  the  hideous  features 
of  such,  and  to  .deride  their  boastful  meanness,  is  the 
prerogative  of  men  endowed  like  the  satirist  of  Roanoke. 
But  in  painting  in  vivid  and  perhaps  exaggerated  colors, 
the  "fears  of  the  brave  and  follies  of  the  wise,"  or  in 
shipping  off  the  disguise  of  some  glittering  exterior  ia 
order  to  "  bare  the  mean  heart  that  lurks  beneath  a 
star,"  his  object  should  be  not  so  much  to  diminish  our 
respect  for  a  particular  class  of  men,  as  to  augment  our 
love  for  all  mankind.  If  the  wise  reprover  of  popular 
or  personal  faults  would  banish  the  false  glare  that 
plays  around  bold  but  barren  summits,  it  is  only  that 
through,  a  clearer  medium  and  over  a  wider  area,  we 
may  extend  our  view  in  the  exercise  of  beneficent 
regards.  The  most  forcible  and  useful  satirists  have 
ever  been  at  heart  the  best-natured  men.  In  them  the 
19 


434  ORATORS    OF    TttE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

essence  of  generosity  was  much  more  abundant  than 
the^  bitter  ingredient  in  which,  for  exalted  purposes 
they  sometimes  dipped  their  pen,  and  it  is  by  virtue  of 
their  kindlier  elements  that  their  influence  continues  alive. 
There  are  a  plenty  of  "cooing,  insipid  lack-a-daisical 
moralities"  in  the  world,  fair  game  for  the  caustic  lam- 
pooner, and  an  occasional  seourging  at  his  hand  will  do 
no  harm.  There  are  many  popular  errors  so  supremely 
ridiculous  that  their  folly  could  only  be  exceeded  by  an 
attempt  to  reason  them  down.  "  A  man  might  as  well 
drag  up  a  forty-two  pounder  to  overthrow  a  lodge  in  a 
garden  of  cucumbers.  By  bringing  a  grave  syllogism 
against  a  supreme  absurdity,  we  make  it  more  respectable 
than  k  can  be  by  its  native  merits.  The  best  thing  is 
to  knock  it  over  with  ridicule.''  Follies  that  are  fortified 
by  fashion  are  most  effectually  attacked  by  turning  them 
into  burlesque,  after  the  style  of  Don  Quixote.  This  is 
to  reform  evils  -without  augmenting  them.  Bat  there 
are  other  minds,  of  darker  tone,  who  ever  seek  matter 
of  pleasantry  in  things  serious,  and  are  never  contented 
except  as  they  can  cause  the  ridiculous  to  emanate  from 
the  sublime.  They  corrupt,  if  possible,  what  is  intrinsi- 
cally elevated  and  pure,  by  the  fantastic  medium  through 
which  they  cast  their  cynical  look.  But  this  is  the 
cruel  gayety  of  the  shallow  buffoon,  rather  than  magnani- 
mous satire  seasoned  with  attic  wit.  Such  ignoble 
spirits  have  neither  ftie  disposition  nor  ability  to  soar 
in  the  regions  of  lofty  thought,  but  their  descent  is 
facile,  clinging  to  the  accessories  of  things  but  never 
appreciating  their  substance,  They  haunt  the  domain 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  435 

of  moral  excellence  only  as  unquiet  ghosts,  and  through 
the  bovvers  of  beauty  and  magnificence  drag  their  loath- 
some slime,  not  because  such  regions  are  most  congenial 
to  their  native  tastes,  but  because  they^ therein  find  an 
abundance  of  worth  which  they  are  ambitious  to  degrade 
rather  than  enjoy. 

Ridicule  is  a  potent  weapon  in  the  hands  of  evil  men; 
but  principles  which  are  not  substantial  enough  to  with- 
stand the  basest  marauders,  even  when  they  employ  the 
basest  tools,  deserve  to  fall.  Plutarch,  in  his  life  of 
Fabius  Maximus,  says,  "  as  Diogenes,  the  philosopher, 
when  one  said,  'They  deride  you/  answered  well, 
'But  I  am  not  derided;'  accounting  those  only  to  be 
ridiculed,  who  feel  the  ridicule  and  are  discomposed  at 
it ;  so  Fabius  bore  without  emotion  all  that  happened  to 
himself,  herein  confirming  that  position  in  philosophy, 
which  affirms  that  a  wise  and  good  man  can  suffer  no 
disgrace." 

But  that  man's  sensibilities  must  have  been  indeed 
obtuse  who  did  not  writhe,  under  the  hand  of  John  Ran- 
dolph, and  he  was,  indeed,  fortunate  who  did  not  long 
bear  the  marks  of  his  blows.  He  had  the  infernal 
power  of  investing  a  fair  came  with  ludicrous  associa- 
tions as  lasting  as  life.  He  could  at  will  transfix  a 
tender  heart  with  fiery-forked  antitheses,  or  brand  his 
victim  with  scorching  epithets  that  eat  like  aspics  to 
the  soul.  There  are  some  dise'ases  that  will  yield  to 
nothing  but  the  caustic  ;  but  he  would  be  a  terrible 
practitioner  who  should  resort  to  this  remedy  in  every 
case.  Sometimes  burning  indignation  is  demanded  in 


436          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

reply  to  tyrannic  arrogance;  and  is~  the  only  kind  of 
response  in  which  generous  and  patriotic  bystanders  can 
sympathize.  Such  an  instance  occurs  in  the  history  of 
Irish  eloquence.-  The  supercilious  Fitzgibbon — Lord 
Clare — had  made  a  domineering  and  unmanly  attack  on 
Mr.  Grattan,  in  his  absence.  The  eloquent  and  noble- 
hearted  Yelverton  immediately  replied  to  the  titled  but 
base  calumniator  as  follows :  "  If  my  learned  friend 
were  present,  the  honorable  gentleman  would  take  some 
time  to  consider  before  he  hazarded  an  encounter 
with  his  genius,  his  eloquence,  and- his  integrity.  The 
learned  gentleman  has  stated  what  Mr.  Grattan  is — I 
will  state  what  he  is  not.  He  is  not  styed  in  prejudices 
— he  does  not  trample  on  the  resuscitation  of  his  country, 
or  live  like  a  caterpillar  on  the  decline  of  its  prosperity ; 
he  does  not  stickle  for  the  letter  of  the  Constitution  with 
the  affectation  of  the  prude,  and  abandon  its  principles 
and  spirit  with  the  effrontery  of  a  prostitute." 

Randolph  had  all  this  energy  of  contempt,  but  not 
always  equal  suavity  of  language.  When  fully  aroused, 
he  would  not  condescend  to  steep  h"is  sting  in  honey. 
He  neglected  the  advice  of  that  courtly  gentleman, 
Sir  Lucius  O'Trigger :  "Let  your  courage  be  as  keen, 
but  at  the  same  time  as  polished,  as  your  sword."  He 
would  not  only  cut,  but  hack  and  mangle  his  victims  by 
the  fierceness  of  his  invective.  It  was  utterly  impossi- 
ble either  to  avoid  the  lacerating  edge  of  his  scathing 
ideas  or  be  tranquil  under  the  pangs  they  were  designed 
to  inflict.  Like  St.  Anselm,  he  should  have  prayed 
God  to  take  away  obstinacy  from  his  sentiments  and 
rudeness  from  his  manners. 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  437 

As  a  specimen  of  the  unamiableness  of  his  wit,*take 

the  following  :  The  "Honorable  Peter ,  who  was  a 

watchmaker,  and  who  represented  B County  for 

many  years  in  Congress,  once  made  a  motion  to  amend 
a  resolution  offered  by  Randolph  on  the  subject  of  mili- 
tary claims.  Mr.  Randolph  rose  up  after  the  amend- 
ment .had  been  offered  and  drawing  out  his  watch  from 
his  fob,  asked  the  Honorable  Peter  what  o'clock  it  Was. 
The  honest  and  unsuspecting  member  told  him.  "  Sir," 
replied  the  scornful  orator,  "you  can  mend  my  watch, 
but  not  my  motions.  You  understand  tictics,  sir,  but 
not  tactics." 

Sometimes  he  served  his  purpose  with  apt  quotations 
which  he  hurled  full  of  venom  at  whole  bands  of  antago- 
nists. His  self-control  and  defiance  were  invincible. 
Once  when  beset  by  almost  the  \vhole  House  in-  boiste- 
rous debate,  he  turned  to  his  foes  with  a  look  of  ineffable 
contempt,  and  then  cried  out  to  the  Speaker,  "  Sir,  I  am 
in  the  condition  of  old  Lear — 

"  The  little  dogs  and  all, 
Trey,  Blanche,  and  Sweetheart, 
See,  they  all  bark  at  me." 

The  power  of  ridicule  is  very  great,  but  its  habitual 
use  by  no  means  indicates  a.  good  heart.  He  who  is 
copiously  endowed  with  extraordinary  qualities  will 
signalize  his  superiority  over  common  men,  by  using  his 
wit  oftener  in  friendship  than  in  enmity.  But  John 
Randolph  chose  to  fight  habitually  with  the  weapon  of 
contempt ;  a  weapon  which  the  malignant  gladly  substi- 
tute for  argument,  since  it  inflicts  most  pain.  He  pro- 
nounced ridicule  to  be  the  keenest  weapon  in  the  whole 


438  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

parliamentary  armory,  and  he  learned  most  skillfully  to 
cut  and  thrust  with  it,  but  never  pkyed  with  foils. 
Conflict  with  him  was  no  sham,  but  a  war  to  the  knife, 
and  knife  to  the  hilt.  But  this  is  power  which  ought  to 
be  despised  rather  than  admired.  In  the  code  of  Charon- 
dar,  at  ancient.  Sparta,  public  ridicule  was  assigned  as 
the  penalty  to  be  inflicted  only  on  the  adulterer  and 
busy-body,  the  sycophant  and  coward.  This  indicates 
the  range  such  wit  holds  in  dignity,  as  well  as  the  mea- 
sure of  its  force.  "  The  very  life  of  such  characters,"  says 
Moore,  "is  their  licentiousness,  and  it  is  with  them,  as  with 
objects  that  are  luminous  from  putresence — to  remove 
their  taint  is  to  extinguish -their  light." 

In  tender  strains  of  eloquence  Randolph  never  was  a 
master.  He  had  too  little  generous  humor  and  too 
frigid  sensibilities  for  that.  .The  only  time  he  was  ever 
known  to  attempt  the  pathetic  with  success  was  when  he 
moved  an  adjournment  to  attend  Commodore  Decatur's 
funeral.  It  is  said  that  his  expressions  of  grief  on  that 
occasion  were  deep  and  tragical.  He  invoked  the 
national  sorrow  for  the  fall  of  the  brightest  star  in  the 
constellation  of  our  naval  glory,  and  elicited  sad  notes 
from  the  Orphean  lyre,  which  might  draw  "  iron  tears 
down  Pluto's  cheek."  But  the  pathetic  was  not  his 
forte.  He  had  not  that  irresistible  inspiration  «f  a 
tender  heart  which  enables  its  ardent  possessor  to  play 
with  the  feelings  of  great  -multitudes,  as  Ariel  sported 
with  Caliban  and  Trunculo;  sometimes  diving  into  the 
billows,  sometimes  playing  in  the  plighted  clouds.  He 
had  a  plenty  of  fickleness  in  his  character,  but  no  great 
versatility  of  talent.  His  imagination  was  vivid — for 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  439 

mu£h  of  his  life  active  to  a  degree  of  downright  insanity 
— but  there  were  few  gentle,  attractive  hues  in  his 
wildness.  His  wit-  was  always  tinged  with  sarcasm,  or 
debased  into  gloomy  invective.  His  intellect  was  bril- 
liant, but  its  effulgence  was  borrowed  of  passions  the 
least  amiable,  ever  ready  to  blast  where  it  shone.  As 
he  advanced  in  life,  the  currents  of  his  heart  seem  to 
have  merged,  into  a  single  channel,  and  that  ran  pro- 
fusely with  gall.  Irony  to  intimidate  the  feeble,  and 
invective  to  harass  the  strong,  were  the  resources 
most  husbanded  by  him  and  constantly  employed : 

"  Lifee  two  dark  serpents  tangled  in  the  dust, 
That  on  the  paths  of  men  their  mingling  poisons  thrust." 

In  mental  character  and  manners  of  speech,  Ran- 
dolph, in  several  particulars,  was  much  like  a  dis- 
tinguished living  statesman  of  France.  A  recent 
listener  to  the  latter,  describes  the  scene  as  follows: 
"  At  length  silence  is  re-established  ;  the  orator  is  about 
to  speak  ;  listen,  or  if  your  organization  is  at  all  delicate 
and  musical,  begin  by  stopping  your,  ears,  and  open 
them  by  degrees,  for  the  voice  you  are  going  to  hear  is 
one  of  those  shrill,  screeching,  piercing  organs  which 
would  make  Rubini  shiver,  and  give  Lablanche  a  fit.  It 
is  something  equivocal,  anomalous,  amphibious,  neither 
masculine  or  feminine,  but  rather  appertaining  to  the 
neuter  gender  ;  and  strongly  flavored,  moreover,  with  a 
provincial  accent. 

"  And,  yet,  this  little  man,  without  appearance,  with- 
out dignity,  without  voice,  is  noae  other  than  M. 
Thiers,  oae  of  the  most  eminent  personages  of  the 


440  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

epoch,  and  one  of  the  most  powerful  ^orators 
Chamber.  Those  shrill  linigs  emit  sounds  almost  always 
listened  to  with  favojs  and  often  applauded  with  phren- 
zied  enthusiasm ;  from  that  nasal  throat  issues  a  flow 
ef  words  transparent  as  crystal,  rapid  as  thought,  sub- 
stantial and  compact  as  meditation  itself." 

If  the  Frenchman  and  American  resembled  each 
other  in  the  traits  above  named,  their  power  of  tor- 
menting an  opponent  was  absolutely  identical.  Con- 
tinues the  writer  just  quoted :  "  Have  you  ever  seen  a 
bull  endeavoring  vainly  to  get  rid  of  a  gad-fly,  which 
fixes  itself  upon  h*s  sides,  his  eyes,  his  ears,  his  nostrils, 
and  stupifies  the  beast  with  his  buzz— the  infuriate 
animal  bellows,  foams,  twists,  and  rolls  itself  about,  but 
unable  to  free  itself  from  its  indefatigable  foe,  terminates 
the  contest  by  .plunging  headlong  down  an  abyss?" 
This  sketches  Randolph  to  the  life.  His  cynical  soul 
fastened  itself  at  different  points  on  his  antagonist,  like 
a  vampire,  and  the  victim  was  not  abandoned  till  all 
vital  blood  was  destroyed.  His  attacks  had  much  of 
the  condensed  bitterness  of  JuniuTs,  and  were  not  often 
more  gross.  But  when  most  restrained  there  was  still 
a  tendency  in  the  evil  spirit  to  escape" ;  you  might  hear 
the  growls  through  the  thongs  of  the  muzzle.  His  hints 
and  insinuations,  accompanied  by  significant  glances 
and  sneering  tones,  were  enough  to  disturb  ordinary 
equanimity ;  but  the  withering  power  of  his  more  direct 
invective  was  insufferable  to  the  last  degree. 

Of  the  new  Constitution  of  Virginia,  he  said,  "  It 
was  brought  into  life  with  the  Sardonic  grin  of  death 
upon  its  countenance."  In  that  expression  he  has 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  441 

given  us  the  outline  and  tone  of  his  own  portrait.  His 
language  was  pointed  and  severe,  full  of  condensed  fire 
and  inhuman  energy.  His  oratory  was  Spartan  in 
brevity  and  force ;  his  words  fell  like  vipers  among  his 
hearers,  and  stung  them  into  fiery  excitement.  He  was 
morbid  and  morose  to  excess;  but  his  gloom  was  volcanic 
heat,  ready  to  explode  ajt  any  moment  and  in  any  direc- 
tion. Suddenly,  his  stoical  nature  would  become  pos- 
sessed as  by  a  demon,  and  his  cold,  sinister  eye  blazed 
with  splendid  fires,  and  radiated  from  his  hueless  face  like 
a  wintry  sky  flashing  with  lightning.  A  political  oppo- 
nent boasted  on  the  stump,  that  if  his  mind  was  not 
naturally  as  strong  as  that  of  the  Orator  of  Roanoke,  he 
had  done  his  best,  by  an  arduous  collegiate  course,  to 
improve  it,  &c.  "  Not  the  first  weak  soil,  gentlemen," 
exclaimed  Randolph,  interrupting  him, -"that  excessive 
cultivation  has  reduced  to  barrenness: — let  him  stay  at 
home — let  him  lie  fallow,  fallow." 

We  have  sketched  John  Randolph's  person  and 
mental  constitution  ;  let  us  now  glance  at  the  use  he 
made  of  his  powers  in  his  public  career.  He  entered 
public  life  in  1787.  In  1806,  he  declared  open  hostility 
to  the  administration  of  Jefferson,  and  from  that  time 
seems  to  have  quarrelled  with  every  public  measure  and 
every  prominent-  man.  In  1811,  those  paroxysms  of 
insanity  began  to  appear,  of  which  in  his  Letters  to 
Dudley,  he  says  he  had  a  lurking  consciousness,  and 
which,  in  the  form  of  hypochondria,  was  the  great 
malady  of  his  life.  It  was  in  this  year  that  his  Anglo- 
mania developed  itself  so  strongly,  which  led  him  on 
the  10th  of  December  so  violently  to  oppose  the  war; 
19* 


442     *     ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

an  opposition  perpetually  renewed,  as  on  the  resolution 
he  offered,  May  29th,  1812.  •  "That  under  existing  cir- 
cumstances it  is  inexpedient  to  resort  to  war  against 
Great  Britain."  It  was  in  the  angry  debate  connected 
with  this  resolution  that  his  animosity  became  fu% 
aroused  against  MF.  Clay. 

In  1822,  he  visited  England,  Ireland,  and  Scotland, 
countries  of  which  he  had  previously  acquired  a  won- 
derfully minute  and  correct  idea  from  conversation  and 
books.  The  attention  he  received  abroad  was  very 
great,  his  eccentricity  was  in  no  way  abated,  and  he 
returned  to  figure  a  while  longer  with  aggravated  vexa- 
tion on  the  public  stage. 

It  is  easy  to  perceive  from  Randolph's  letters,  as  well 
as  from  his  speeches,  that  he  read  immensely,  and  had 
a  strong  memory  to  retain  what  he  had  once  mastei'ed. 
He  was  the  demon  of  cleverness.  He  had  almost  every 
subject  at  the  very  end  of  his  fingers,  and  could,  if  the 
fit  pleased  him,  converse  admicably  on  every  intelligent 
theme.  He  had  a  vast  amount  of  miscellaneous  know- 
ledge, but  little  scientific  discipline.  He  was  ready  for 
every  occasion,  could  declaim  better  than  any  body 
else  on  every  thing,  but  was  elaborate  and  sound  in 
nothing. 

Randolph's  most  extensive  and  critical  knowledge  lay 
in  the  department  of  old  English  literature.  Evidently 
he  was  chaste  in  language,  and  exceedingly  fastidious 
in  the  selection  of  words.  He  was  feudal  in  taste  and 
anti-republican  in  education.  Foreign  books,  baronial 
castles  and  ducal  pedigrees,  filled  his  imagination  and 
formed  his  manners.  By  profession,  he  was  a  democrat ; 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  443 

in  spirit  and  practice  he  was  an  ultra  aristocrat.  He 
disliked  and  opposed  every  administration  from  Wash- 
ington to  Jackson  ;  in  every  thing  and  towards  every 
body,  he  was  "a  good  hater."  His  tongue  was  "a 
chartered  libertkie,"  steeped  in  the  poison  of  asps,  and 
ready  to  impede  any  step  of  popular  progress.  He  con- 
fided in  no  one,  and  was  distrusted,  if  not  despised  by 
all.  The  curse-book  of  Pandemonium  was  condensed 
by  him  into  epigrams  and  antitheses  of  malignant  con- 
tempt, and  hurled  like  double-headed  shot  at  all  whom 
the  whim  of  the  moment  marked  a*  his  foes.  He  took 
his  old  books  to  England  to  be  bound,  rather  than  have 
them  repaired  north  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line,  and  it 
is  believed,  with  the  same  hatred  of  every  thing  noble 
beyond  the  contracted  sphere  which  his  own  contempti- 
ble prejudices  nad  formed,  he  would  have  fed  his  enmity 
at  the  expense  of  all  the  freedom  of  our  land. 

It  has  been  said  of  Fox's  speeches,  that  "  they  are  full 
of  impressive  allusions  ;  they  abound  in  expositions  of 
the  adversary's  inconsistency ;  they  are  loaded  with 
bitter  invective  ;  they  never  lose  sight  of  the  subject ; 
and  they  never  quit  hold  of  the  hearer  by  the  striking 
appeals  they  make  to  his  strongest  feelings  and  his 
favorite  recollections  :  to  the  heart,  or  to  the  quick  and 
immediate  sense  of  inconsistency,  they  are  always 
addressed,  and  find  their  way  thither  by  the  shortest  and 
surest  road  ;  but  to  the  head,  to  the  calm  and  sober 
judgment,  as  pieces  of  argumentation,  they  assuredly 
are  not  addressed.  But  Mr.  Fox,  as  he  went  along,  and 
exposed  absurdity,  and  made  inconsistent  arguments 
clash,  and  laid  bare  shuffling,  or  hypocrisy,  and  showered 


444          ORATORS    OF  THE   AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

down  upon  meanness,  or  upon  Cruelty,  or  oppression,  a 

pitiless  storm  of  the  most  fierce  invective,   was   ever 

1 

forging  also  the  long,  and  compacted,  and  massive  chain 
of  pure  demonstration." 

John  Randolph  possessed  the  erratic  qualities  attributed 
above  to  the  eloquence  of  Charles  James  Fox,  without 
its  higher 'attributes.  He  was^boorjy  fitted  to  rebuke 
inconsistency  in  others,  as  of  all  statesmen  that  ever 
lived  hg  was  most  vacillating  and  inconsistent  him- 
self. He  was  utterly  devoid  of  stability  of  character. 
His  positions  were  changed  so  rapidly,  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  tell  where  he  would  next  appear,  and  what 
new  mode  of  attack  he  would  next  employ.  No  public 
man  ever  frittered  away  time  so  uselessly,,  and  expended 
his  resources  with  such  abortive  aims.  "  Watcn*  him  in 
any  one  of  his  set  speeches,  and  it  will'  be  a  question 
whether  in  any  other  spectacle  whatever  you  can  dis- 
cover so  great  a  waste  of  power.  Every  succeeding 
paragraph  has  a  different  design  from  those  which  pre- 
ceded it ;  and  from  the  utter  confusion  and  opposition 
of  the  integral  forces,  the  aggregate  energy  is  destroyed. 
You  will  see  him  at  one  moment  sedulously  hunting 
with  a  pack  of  allies  to  whom  the  glow  of  a  common 
hatred  has  united  him,  but  in  the  next  instant,  if  a  cross 
scent  strikes  him,  he  will  be  found  scampering  off",  in 
hot  haste,  and  will  return  before  long,  loaded  with  the 
trophies  of  a  victory  over  his  own  associates.  This 
extreme  fickleness  and  oddity  doubtless  very  much  con- 
tributed to  his  success.  He  kept  his  hearers  in  con- 
stant suspense,  watching  for  the  next  vagary  that  might 
appear.  Like  Dean  Swift,  he  would  often  make  a  re- 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  445 

_  «A 

mark,  much   like  a  compliment,  and  then  transform  it 

into  a  sarcasm,  or  he  wqjuld  abruptly  utter  a  sarcasm, 
and  with  ambiguous  malice  qualify- it  into  a  compliment. 
Those  who  were  most  familiar  with  Randolph's  mode 
of  debate,  were  accustomed  to  take  him  in  a  sense 
opposite  to  his  apparent  design.  If  he  began  by  treat-- 
ing  his  antagonist  with  unwonted  respect,  it  was  easy 
to  see  that  the  kindness  was  unnatural,  and  that  his 
assumed  flattery  was  portentous.  His  fitful  courtesy  in 
the  forum  was  never  real,  but  a  hollow  air  put  on  for 
the  moment, 

"  With  smooth  dissimulation  skill'd  to  grace, 

A  devil's  purpose  with  an  angel's  face." 
-**  *  •  • 

The  ample  folds  of  hypocritical  complacency  with 
which  he  occasionally  condescended  to  drape  his  foe,  to 
the  infinite  dismay  of  the  victim,  would  sooa  kindle 
into  the  fierce  torture  of  the  shirt  of  Nessus,  and  burn  to 
the  quick. 

Randolph  prepared  himself  for  forensic  strife  in  a 
way  as  peculiar  to  himself  as  it  was  characteristic  of 
every  thing  he  attempted  to  perform.  In  the  first  place, 
he  made  himself  familiar  with  the  private  history,  pecu- 
liar temperament,  and  personal  foibles  of  every  man 
with  whom  he  was  associated.  Then,  as  soon  as  he 
conceived  the  purpose  of  making  a  speech,  his  mind 
went  to  work  to  collect,  arrange,  and  prepare  his  mate- 
rials. Every  thing  strong  and  stinging  that  could  be 
wrought  into  his  intended  harangue,  was  carefully  can- 
vassed, and  if  found  worthy,  was  put  down  in  his  ran- 
dom notes.  But  it  was  only  on  the  point  of  some 


446  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOL«ION. 

epigram,  the  "  sting  in  the  tail"  of  a  sarcasm,  as  he 
himself  declared,  that  he-bastowed  especial  care.  The 
chain  of  his  argumsnt  was  left  for  ths  chances  of  the 
occasion  to  forge ;  but  the  p3rpst«|f  I  accompanimsnt  of 
ridicule  was  anxiously  and  maliciously  premeditated. 
He  carried  these  sharpened  missiles  about  with  him 
constantly,  and  if  the  fitting  occasion  did  not  soon 
occur  to  disgorge  himself  in  public,  he  would  often  re- 
hearse bis  oratorical  points  in  .private  conversation. 
Says  one  of  his  acquaintances,  "  I  remember  particu- 
larly the  last  speech  he  made  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. He  had  b3en  waiti-ng  the  opportunity  to 
make  it  for  ten  days  :  and  in  that  interval,  I  am  in- 
clined to  think,  I  heard  from  him,  in  private,  almost 
every  brilliant  thought  contained  in  the  speech."  With 
his  wide  scope  of  personal  acquaintance,  and  with  his 
habits  of  prepared  onslaught,  his  rising  to  address  the 
House  was  a  signal  for  universal  dread  and  commotion. 
Piquant  allusions,  epigrammatic  phrases,  malicious 
anecdotes,  scornful  and  withering  quotations,  brief  but 
most  excrutiatingly  pertinent  to  the  persons  before  him, 
flew  off  in  every  direction  like  sparks  from  Vulcan's 
forge,  and,  like  the  bolts  of  Jupiter,  shivered  wherever 
they  fell.  He  knew  the  vulnerable  part  of  every  cha- 
racter, and  often  hurt  the  most  when  the  popular  eye 
least  saw  the  blow.  'It  has  been  well  remarked  that  he 
used  his  tongue  as  a  jockey  would  his  whip;  hit  the  sore 
place  till  the  blood  came,  and  there  was  no  flourish  or 
noise  in  doing  it. 

Many  survive  Randolph  who  remember  the  aspect 


4- 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  447 


he  presented  in  Congress,  and  the  effects  he  wrought. 
In  the  language  of  Wordsworth,  he  was  one  of  those 

"  Dire  faces,  figures  dire, 

Sharp-knee'd,  sharf-elbow'd,  and  lean-anckled,  too, 
With  long  and  ghastly  shanks,  forms  which  once  seen 
Could  never  be  forgotton." 

His  tones  were  as  unearthly  as  his  look.  His  ges- 
ture was  chiefly  with  his  long  and  emaciated  finger, 
more  like  the  talon  of  a  vulture  than  the  member  of  a 
human  form.  The  impressiveness  with  which  he  used 
this  in  debate  was  proverbial.  There  was  a  great  deal 
of  heedless  power  and  striking  caprice  in  his  manner 
of  address.  He  was  attractive  as  an  orator,  on  the 
same  principle  thai  the  cell  in  the  Jardin  des  Plantes, 
at  Paris,  closely  glazed  arid  guarded  with  iron  net-work 
without,  is  perhaps  the  most  popular  show-room  in  the 
world,  because  it  contains  the  most  destructive  serpents 
and  deadly  creatures  any  where  to  be  found.  Ran- 
dolph was  a  perturbed  spirit,  and,  like  Milton's  monarch- 
fiend,  seems  to  have  thought  it  "  better  to  reign  in  hell 
than  serve  in  heaven."  He  was  possessed  by  the  in- 
temperate fury  of  Diomede,  a  passionate  love  of  battle, 
which  no  consideration  of  subject  or  place  could  curb : 

"  Creature  of  one  mighty  sense, 
Concentrated  impudence," 

Randolph  formed  the  acquaintance  of  a  prominent 
bookseller  in  Baltimore,  of  whom  he  made  several  pur- 
chases, and  with  whom  he  was  wont  freely  to  converse. 
At  a  subsequent  period,  being  in  Washington  with  a 


448          ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

friend,  he  saw  Randolph  approaching  him,  and  proposed 
to  introduce  his  companion  to  that  famous  man.  But 
his  friend  declined,  knowing  something  of  the  wayward 
hero  whose  brutal  rudeness  he  d|d  not  wish  to  incur. 
"  Well,"  said  the  quondam  friend  and  confident  book- 
vender,  "  I'm  sorry  you  will  not  be  introduced.  I'll  go  up 
and  give  him  a  shake  of  the  hand,  at  any  rate."  Up  he 
walked,  with  familiar  air  and  cordial  salutations.  The 
aristocratic  republican  immediately  threw  his  hands  be- 
hind him,  as  if  scorning  to  touch  plebeian  flesh,  and  with 
a  look  as  searching  as  his  tones  were  impudent,  exclaimed, 

"  Oh,  oh  !  you  are  Mr. ,  from  Baltimore  ?"     "  Yes, 

sir,"  was  the  reply.  "  A  bookseller  ?"  "  Yes,  sir,"  was 
the  second  response.  "  Ah  !  I  bought  books  from  you  V 
"  Yes,  sir,  you  did."  "  Did  I  forget  to  pay  you  for 
them?"  "No,  sir,  you  did  not."  "Good  morning, 
sir !"  said  the  cynic,  lifting  his  cap  with  offended  dig- 
nity, and  hurrying  on. 

It  was  his  custom  and  delight,  in  public  and  private 
life,  to  deal  out  the  contents  of  the  bitter  urn  pro- 
fusely. His  most  moderate  style  was  bitter-sweet'; 
from  this  he  rose  or  sank  into  the  pure  bitter,  and  if 
the  matter  in  hand  wets  important,  and  his  antagonists 
dignified,  he  invariably  ended  with  vinegar  distilled, 
thickened  with  deadly  drugs.  Like  the  urchin  of  mis- 
chief in  the  "  Lay  of  the  Last  Minstrel,"  he  used  fairy 
gifts  with  a  spirit  of  deviltry,  ever  prompt  to  'provoke, 
to  annoy,  and  to  injure,  no  matter  whom  he  wounded, 
or  when,  or  where.  His  personal  resentments  led  him 
away  from  every  consideration,  save  that  of  how  he 
could  best  mutilate  and  silence  his  adversary.  His  in- 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  449 

'    4^» 

vectives  were  fearful,  not  so  much  from  the  grandeur 
of  his  mien,  or  the  dignity  of  his  talents,  but  from  the 
acuteness  of  his  weapons,  and  the  condensed  venom 
they  infused.  He  easily  intimidated  all  but  the  most 
fearless,  and  even  they  were  not  ambitious  of  encoun- 
tering him,  since  it  was  not  a  battle  with  a  lion  but  a 
viper.  A  distinguished  statesman  and  orator  from 
Rhode  Island,  known  as  "  the  Bald  Eagle  of  the  House," 
was  the  only  antagonist  who  effectually  silenced  this 
forensic  Thersites  after  his  own  manner.  When  this 
gentleman  publicly  rendered  thanks  to  God  that  in 
anomalous  creatures  there  is  a  physical  law  which  pre- 
vents the  perpetuation  of  their  own  species,  the  allusion 
would  have  been  too  atrocious  if  directed  against  any 
one  besides  John  Randolph. 

He  was  not  indifferent  about  the  selection  of  his 
victims,  but  with  a  choice'  husbandry  of  his  resources, 
he  seemed  to  take  special  delight  in  setting  up  the  fairest 
personages  as  a  target  for  his  wit-bolts.  And  whoever 
he  pounced  upon  found  the  process  no  holiday  sport. 
Before  ordinary  harlequins  of  the  forum,  dignified 
personages  might  composedly  sit,  "  wrapt  in  rich  dull- 
ness, comfortable  fur,"  consoling  themselves  with  the 
remark  of  Shakspeare,  "If  a  man  will  be  beaten 
with  brains,  he  shall  wear  nothing  handsome  about  him." 
But  not  so  in  the  presence  of  Randolph.  When  sum- 
moned to  the  rack,  the  candidate  for  torture  was  bound 
to  go  and  have  his  vitals  torn  by  demon  vultures.  Con- 
tempt, says  an  oriental  proverb,  pierces  even  through 
the  shell  of  a  tortoise ;  one  needed  a  panoply  strong 
indeed  to  shield  him  from  the  personal  javelin  hurled  by 


450  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

Randolph's  hand.  He  labored  most  earnestly  to  impeach 
Judge  Chase,  but  failed  in  his  effort,  and  came  out  of  the 
contest  without  a  single  laurel. 

It  would  be  unjust  to  deny  that  Mr.  Randolph  possessed 
great  powers  of  eloquence  of  their  kind.  He  could 
hold  an  audience  for  a  long  time  enthralled  by  his  speech. 
Speaking  of  his  own  opposition  to  the  Bankrupt  Bill,  he 
said,  "How  delighted  I  am  to  think  that  I  helped  to 
give  thai  hateful  bill  a  kick — yes,  sir,  this  very  day  week 
I  spoke  for  three  hours  against  it,  and  I  assure  you 
that  whilst  I  was  speaking,  although  the  northern  mail 
was  announced,  not  a  single  member  left  his  seat  to 
look  for  letters,  a  circumstance  that  had  not  occurred 
during  the  session!"  But  he  had  more  talent  than 
courtesy  or  self-respect.  He  contemplated  the  suffer- 
ings he  produced  with  as  much  complacency  as  the 
artist  who  wished  to  delineate  the  agonies  of  martyrdom, 
and  studied  the  contortions  of  the  shrieking  model  on  a 
rack.  In  some  of  his  better  inspirations,  there  are 
beautiful  gleams  of  truth,  impressed  in  graceful  and 
energetic  language,  "like  orient  pearls  at  random 
strung ;"  but  ordinarily  his  snatches  of  truth  wear  an 
infernal  aspect,  and  convulse  us  with  dread,  without 
touching  the  finer  chords  of  the  heart. 

"  The  flesh  will  quiver  where  the  pinchers  tear, 
The  blood  will  follow  where  the  knife  is  driven." 

Some  persons  combine  in  themselves  the  attributes  of 
the  toad  and  the  salamander;  they  imbibe  no  aliment 
from  earth  but  its  poisons,  and  they  breathe  naturally 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  451 

only  in  fire.  They  are  of  the  class  described  by  Burke, 
in  allusion  to  the  French  Revolution.  "They  have 
tigers  to  fall  upon  animated  strength.  They  have 
hyenas  to  prey  upon  carcasses.  The  national  menagerie 
is  collected  by  the  first  physiologist  of  the  time ;  and  is 
defective  in  no  description  of  savage  nature.  Neither 
sex,  nor  age — nor  the  sanctuary  of  the  tomb,  is  sacred 
to  them." 

John  Randolph  Was  the  Sagittarius  of  the  American 
Congress,  "armed  at  point,"  and  letting  fly  on  all  occa- 
sions his  dart  with  terrific  power.  He  was  king  Seapin, 
and  could  at  any  moment  invest  his  subjects  with  the 
air  and  honors,  of  infinite  contempt.  Whenever  he  saw 
fit  to  level  his  long,  ghastly  finger,  at  the  head  of  any 
one,  with  the  ominous  shrill  cry  of  "Mr.  Speaker  !" — it 
was  the  signal  for  all  the  risibles  in  the  house  to  relax, 
and  the  prelude  of  roars  of -laughter  at  the  poor  victim's 
expense.  The  famous  "  Yazoo  claim,"  was  for  many 
years  a  bone  of  contention,  annually  defended  by 
Randolph  in  a  series  of  speeches,  which  some  think  are 
destined  to  "stand  the  test  of  time,  of  scrutiny,  and 
of  talent."  Battling  one  day  against  some  of  the 
strongest  men  of  the  nation,  he  made  the  withering 
remark  which  at  the  time  rung  all  over  the  union. 
Shaking  that  claw-like  finger  of  his  in  the  face  of  his 
opponents,  he  exclaimed,  "  Mr.  Speaker,  I  hope,  sir,  to 
see  the  day  when  a  Yazoo  claimant  and  a  villain,  will  be 
synonymous  terms." 

The  best  scholars  of  our  universities,  the  first  leaders 
in  our  State  legislatures,  and  the  master-spirits  in  every 


452  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

walk  of  forensic  gladiatorship,  trembled  at  the  necessity 
of  a  rencontre  with  John  Randolph  on  the  floor  of 
Congress.  He  was  always  ready  to  meet  every  new- 
comer and  at  once  to  annihilate  his  pretensions,  or 
cover  him  with  disgrace.  However  potent  their  talents, 
afid  however  righteous  their  cause,  they  needed  to  keep 
in  mind  the  caution  addressed  of  old  to  the  Archangel : 

<j 

"  I  forewarn  thee,  shun 

His  deadly  arrow  ;  neither  vainly  hope 
To  be  invulnerable  in  those  bright  arms, 
Though  tempered  heavenly;  for  that  fatal  dint, 
Save  Him  who  reigns  above,  none  can  resist." 

Undoubtedly  a  brilliant  flame  burned  amid  the  attenu- 
ated and  .deranged  fibres  of  Randolph's  intellect,  but  it 
did  not  quicken  his  pulse,  nor  kindle  his  frigid  nature  into 
genial  warmth.  His  sarcasms  were  as  stinging  and 
adhesive  as  the  burr  or  nettle  that  annoys  the  lover  of 
quiet  nature  in  his  woodland  rambles.  He  not  only 
smote  his  victims  with  blows  that  keenly  kill,  but  like 
the  Levite  described  in  the  Bible,  he  cut  the  carcass 
into  fragments  and  scattered  them  to  the  winds.  Rude- 
ly to  attack  and  savagely  to  demolish  was  his  vocation. 
What  Burke  said  of  the  Constituefit  Assembly  of 
France,  in  the  days  of  her  phrenzy,  was  eminently  true 
of  John  Randolph  :  "  He  could  not  build — he  could  only 
pull  down — he  was  the  Vitruvious  of  ruin.  In  vain 
shall  we  search  for  any  memorial  that  attests  any  bene- 
fit resulting  from  the  influence  of  his  life.  He  is  the 
parent  of  no  law,  the  author  of  no  treatise,  and  the 


* 

ft 

JOHN    RANDOLPH.  453 

builder  of  no  valuable  institution.  If  his  name  was  not 
written  in  water,  it  was  inscribed  in  darker  hues  on  the 
memory  of  mankind. 

Aristophanes  and  Juvenal  were  feared  while  alive, 
but  the  worthies  whom  they  ridiculed  were  the  only 
ones  destined  to  receive  posthumous  esteem.  To  mH- 
tilate  the  monuments  that  gratitude  has  erected  to 
genius,  and  so  extinguish  the  lamp  lighted  by  devotion 
over  against  the  image  of  love,  can  be  the  ambition  of 
no  tender  heart  or  exalted  intellect.  If  it  is  disgraceful 
thus  to  dishonor  the  dead,  it  is  something  worse  to  de- 
stroy the  peace  and  deface  the  fair  character  of  the 
living.  He  who  shall  make  this  the  business  of  his 
life,  must  hereafter  expect  the  retribution  which  the 
malignant  can  never  escape.  A  man  in  Bengal  was 
long  distinguished  for  skill  in  humbling  the  tiger.  His 
adroitness  in  the  chase  won  him  much  agreeable  ex- 
ercise and  reputation.  A  length  he  came  near  losing 
his  life  by  his  daring,  and  relinquished  the  sport  with  this 
remark,  "  Tiger  hunting  is  very  fine  amusement,  so 
long  as  we  hunt  the  tiger ;  but  it  is  rather  awkward 
when  the  tiger  takes  it  into  his  head  to  hunt  us."  The 
tiger  at  length  turned  upon  Randolph,  and  held  him 
awfully  at  bay.  »  , 

In  the  spring  of  1824,  he  repeated  his  visit  to  Eng- 
land; and,  in  1830,  was  appointed  Minister  to  Russia, 
where  he  remained  but  a  short  time.  On  the  20th  of 
May,  1833,  Mr.  Randolph  came  from  Virginia  to  Phila- 
delphia, on  his  way  to  New  York,  where  he  intended 
again  to  embark  for  Europe  in  search  of  health.  It  was 


454  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

here  that  the  melancholy  drama  of  his  life  came  to  a 
solemn  close,  as  described  by  his  physician,  Dr.  Parrish. 
"For  a  short  time  he  lay  perfectly  quiet,  his  eyes  were 
closed,  and  I  concluded  he  was  disposed  to  sleep.  He 
suddenly  roused  from  this  state,  with  the  words  '  Re- 
morse, Remorse. '  It  was  twice  repeated ;  at  the 
last  time  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  evidently  with  great 
agitation,  he  cried  out,  '  Let  me  see  the  word.'  No 
reply  followed :  having  learned  enough  of  the  character 
of  my  patient  to  ascertain,  that  when  I  did  not  know 
exactly  what  to  say,  it  was  best  to  say  nothing.  He 
then  exclaimed,  '  Get  a  dictionary — let  me  see  the 
word.'  I  cast  my  eyes  around  me  and  told  him  I  be- 
lieved there  was  none  in  the  room.  '  Write  it  down, 
then — let  me  see  the  word.'  I  picked  up  one  of  his 
cards  from  the  table,  '  Randolph  of  Roanoke,'  and 
inquired  whether  I  should  write  on  that.  '  Yes,  nothing 
more  proper/  Then  with  my  pencil  I  wrote  Remorse. 
He  took  the  card  in  his  hands  in  a  hurried  manner,  and 
fastened  his  eyes  on  it  with  great  intensity.  '  Write  it 
on  the  back,'  he  exclaimed.  I  did  so,  and  handed  it  to 
him  again.  He  was  excessively  agitated  at  this  period 
— he  repeated,  'Remorse!  you  have  no  idea  what  it  is, 
you  can  form  no  idea  of  it  whatever;  it  has  contributed 
to  bring  me  to  my  present  situation  ;  but  I  have  looked 
to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  hope  I  have  obtained  par- 
don.' He  then  said,  '  Now  let  John  take  your  pencil 
and  draw  a  line  under  the  word  ;'  which  was  accord- 
ingly done.  I  inquired  what  was  to  be  done  with  the 
card ;  he  replied,  'Put  it  in  your  pocket;  take  care  of 
it ;  when  I  am  dead  look  at  it/ 


JOHN    RANDOLPH.  455 

. 

."  This  was  an  impressive  scene.  All  the  plans  of  am- 
bition, the  honors  and  the  wealth  of  this  world,  had 
-  vanished  as  bubbles  on  the  water.  He  knew  and  he  felt 
that  his  very  moments  were  few,  and  even  they  were 
numbered."  In  a  few  hours  after  this  scene,  on  the  23d 
of  May,  1833,  John  Randolph  was  dead.  His  remains 
were  removed  to  Roanoke  and  there,  in  a  lonely  dell, 
amid  venerable  trees,  without  a  monument,  without  an 
epitaph  breathing  affection,  and  with  not  even  a  fra- 
grant shrub  planted  in  the  arid  soil  to  indicate  the 
remembrance  of  some  friendly  hand,  in  solitude  and 
neglect  his  dust  awaits  the  resurrection  morn. 

John  Randolph  at  one  time  was  regarded,  and  per- 
haps still  is  by  some  persons,  as  the  prince  of  American 
orators.  We  have  no  disposition  to  depreciate  his 
merits,  nor  would  we  uncharitably  "draw  his  frailties 
from  their  dread  abode."  We  leave  him  in  the  hands 
of  the  benign  sovereign  of  all,  without  the  slightest  desire 
either  to  aggravate  his  faults  or  pronounce  their  doom. 
In  this  review  of  his  career  we  have  to  do  with  his 
character  only  as  an  orator,  and  not  with  his  eternal 
destiny.  Viewing  his  merits  in  the  light  of  his  public 
deeds,  we  think  that  if  an  apotheosis  is  to  be  granted  to 
him  at  all.  it  should  be  in  company  with  such  men  as 
Warren  Hastings.  Speaking  of  the  latter,  Burke  said 
that  he  knew  something  of  the  Brahmins.  He  knew 
that  as  they  worshipped  some  gods  from  love,  so  they 
worshipped  others  from  fear.  He  knew  that  they  erect- 
ed shrines  not  only  to  the  benignant  deities  of  light  and 
plenty,  but  also  to  the  fiends  who  preside  over  small- 
POX  and  murder.  Nor  did  he  at  all  dispute  the  claim 


456  ORATORS    OF    THE    AMERICAN    REVOLUTION. 

•?*  * 

of  Mr.  Hastings  to  be  admitted  into  such  a  Pantheon." 
Perhaps  the  moral  sense  of  enlightened  nations,  estimat- 
ing a  man's  claims  to  perpetual  esteem  according  to 
the  beneficent  influence  of  his  life,  will  assign  to  John 
Randolph  a  like  position  in  the  temple  of  righteous  fame. 


THE      END. 


-A- 


Drive  - 


borrowed. 


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